Barcelona have the resources to build their squad to help them embark on a perfect rebuild. They have the manager, they have the owners and they have Chelsea goals to work with.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the Catalans are now interested in a move for Chelsea’s long-term target Jules Kounde. It’s a surprise, given that they are also tipped to bring Chelsea’s Andreas Christensen to Spain. Both players play on this right side of defence, which will give Barcelona some healthy competition but ultimately leave Chelsea with few defensive options.
Andreas Christensen isn’t the only Chelsea player Xavi has tried to poach from the Blues. Cesar Azpilicueta is also expected to leave for Barcelona this summer. They had also made contact with Antonio Rudiger’s agent earlier in the year before the German signed for Real Madrid.
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It just seems a little fishy that Chelsea’s main players and transfer targets are also on Barcelona’s list. It’s as if everywhere we were trying to strengthen ourselves in defense or in attack. The Catalans are right behind us. Chelsea need Kounde more than Barcelona would admit.
The departure of Christensen and Azpilicueta will leave them with just Trevoh Chalobah playing as a right centre-back. It could also lead to Reece James playing a more permanent position as a right centre-back rather than at full-back, which is where most Chelsea fans would prefer to see him.
Defense is one area where Barcelona have looked at Chelsea’s plan for success, and another would be attack. Earlier in the year, Riyad Mahrez and Raphinha became Chelsea targets. It wasn’t long before both players were also on Barcelona’s transfer request list.
Although Chelsea reportedly had their offer for the Brazilian of around £40million in January rejected, he has now agreed personal terms with the Catalans, as GOAL report. That remains a gray area for the Blues, who likely could have increased their supply over the course of the season had they not been so constrained by government sanctions. Barcelona have taken full advantage of this situation in many ways.
Raphinha could be the first of two Chelsea targets to snub the Blues for a move to sunny Barcelona. Marcos Alonso is the next Chelsea player who could move there along with his current teammates, Christensen and Azpilicueta.
Chelsea fans have an unsung rivalry with Barcelona. The 2009 Overseas Dream Crushers. Let’s hope they don’t keep losing to Xavi anymore, and Marina Granovskaia locks down the transfer deal with Jules Kounde before it’s too late as well.
