Chelsea: Boehly could make 'big signing' in £68m star at Stamford Bridge | OneFootball

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GiveMeSport

·27 May 2022

Chelsea: Boehly could make 'big signing' in £68m star at Stamford Bridge

Article image:Chelsea: Boehly could make 'big signing' in £68m star at Stamford Bridge

If Chelsea manage to bring Sevilla defender Jules Kounde to the club this summer, then it would be a ‘big signing’, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Blues have long been linked with the highly-rated 23-year-old and could finally bring him to the club when the transfer market reopens for business next month.


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What is the latest news involving Kounde?

Kounde was the subject of intense interest from Chelsea around 12 months ago, but a potential deal collapsed when Sevilla refused to accept any offers below his £68 million release clause.

However, reports in Spain now claim that the Rojiblancos are willing to drop their asking price by £10m, while transfer guru Andreas Korssund has claimed that the centre-back has agreed personal terms with the Blues.

Chelsea are set to lose both Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen on free transfers when their contracts expire, meaning bolstering the heart of defence is a priority for manager Thomas Tuchel.

And with Todd Boehly’s consortium finally having its £4.25 billion takeover bid approved by the UK government, it may not take long to get the Kounde deal over the line as well.

What has O’Rourke said about Kounde?

O’Rourke believes the arrival of the France international is something Chelsea ‘need’ and also reckons he’s a player who they can ‘build their future around’.

Chelsea CLOSE to signing Jules Kounde! Hear more on The Football Terrace

He told GiveMeSport: “I think it’d be a big signing; not too sure it’d be a massive statement signing. They need defenders, Chelsea, there’s no doubt about that, losing Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen is also set to leave.

“So, bringing in Kounde would be a big arrival for them to improve their defence, and he’s a player with huge potential, as we’ve seen for Sevilla and France and is someone that Chelsea could build their future around; he is still at a very young age as well.”

Would Kounde be a good signing?

At 5 foot 10, Kounde is not the most physically imposing of central defenders, yet he more than makes up for that with his tactical intelligence and comfort in possession.

He has ranked in the 98th percentile for dribbles completed, 97th for shot-creating actions. 97th for progressive passes received and 96th for touches in the attacking penalty area when compared to his position peers over the last year, as per FBref.

Kounde also places in the 90th for progressive carries, 89th for passes attempted and 84th for progressive passes, indicating he could prove to be an ideal fit for Tuchel’s possession-orientated setup.

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