Gus Poyet urges Chelsea to buy his former defender

Gus Poyet has urged former club Chelsea to sign French defender Jules Kounde from Sevilla.

Kounde, 23, came close to signing for the Blues in the summer. According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, the promising centre back had agreed on personal terms with the club as far back as July. However, the transfer didn’t go through.

The Frenchman has impressed again for Sevilla this season. He has started 11 of Sevilla’s La Liga games this season, contributing to a total of six clean sheets.

His Champions League form has also been excellent. As per WhoScored, he averages 4.8 aerial duels won across his four appearances. Additionally, he has played every minute. Sevilla currently sit third in their group, but will qualify for the last 16 if they defeat Salzburg on matchday six.

Before joining the La Liga side, Kounde spent two seasons with the first team at Bordeaux after coming through the club’s youth system. Poyet managed the French centre-back during his time as manager between January and August 2018.

Gus Poyet on potential Kounde move

Speaking exclusively to Genting Casino, Gus Poyet gave his thoughts on Kounde and expressed how he believes he could perform well in the Premier League.

Poyet explained: “Jules Kounde played 90 minutes in every game he played for me. Jules was a very good professional from a very young age – at 19, he was already assuming responsibilities.”

“He was a guy who I connected with very well from the beginning – he had what I like as a centre-half. The responsibility I gave him as a centre-half, with and without the ball, he understood it from the first minute, so I knew he would be very, very important for me.”

He continued: “I think he’s got the quality to come to a top team in England – I’ve got no doubts. And if it’s Chelsea – even better, because I would like to see him, and I would like him to play for Chelsea.”

“He wants to improve all the time, he listens to the coach, he wants to train. He is very powerful, a very special boy, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s coming to England next summer.”

Do Chelsea need Jules Kounde?

Jules Kounde Gus Poyet
Image Credit: Getty

Chelsea’s defensive record under Thomas Tuchel this season has been nothing short of superb. The Blues have conceded just four goals in their opening 12 Premier League games.

Antonio Rudiger, Thiago Silva and Andreas Christensen have all been crucial players this term. Chelsea also have Cesar Azpilicueta, Trevoh Chalobah and Malang Sarr as alternative defensive options.

But there are doubts over Rudiger’s future. His contract is set to expire in the summer, and he has not agreed to a new one yet.

Tuchel stated after Chelsea’s 4-0 win over Juventus in the Champions League on Tuesday that “everyone” wants the German defender to stay.

If he does depart, however, the Blues would no doubt be keen on signing a replacement. Given their pursuits of him in the summer, Jules Kounde is sure to be near the top of their list of candidates.

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