Jules Koundé

[Cinemattis]

For those who don’t know much about Kounde, this is a really good article and analysis on him:

Player Analysis: Jules Koundé

From Aymeric Laporte to Raphaël Varane, from Presnel Kimpembe to Dayot Upamecano, there isn’t a single nation in the world that can hold a candle to France’s center back depth, and the next name in France’s laundry list of elite center backs is 21-year-old Jules Koundé. After rising up...

breakingthelines.com

From the opening three statements in the article:

"(..) there isn’t a single nation in the world that can hold a candle to France’s center back depth"
Yet France arguably had the worst centre backs of the final 16 in the Euros this summer: their defence and especially their centre backs were - if not abysmal - at least very, very far from being "elite" or "top class".

"After rising up Bordeaux’s academy and breaking into manager Gus Poyet’s starting eleven, Koundé earned a €25 million move to Sevilla in the summer of 2019, where he would link up with Diego Carlos, who arrived from Nantes in the same window for €15 million. The two would go on to form a rock-solid duo in the heart of Julen Lopetegui’s defense, as Sevilla finished fourth and won the UEFA Europa League."

"While Carlos, 27, may have scared off suitors due to his erratic defending and cringeworthy mistakes, as he conceded three penalties in the final three rounds of Europa, Koundé’s reputation and price tag has only grown in the final months of the season."

How can a centre back duo be "rock ´-solid" and at the same time have "erratic defending and cringeworthy mistakes"?

Some of the examples in the article to prove his abilities are somewhat odd tbh: to beat Arturo Vidal in a duel is hardly proof of, well anything really.

 

[SlotBadger]

ala Kante

Weather’s lovely there this time of year

 

[Tyler24durden]

Noise from France that caleta-car of Monaco may be heading to us so that may end our interest in kounde.

 

[Northernspurs]

I like him.. hard as nails

 

[spids]

Noise from France that caleta-car of Monaco may be heading to us so that may end our interest in kounde.

Another right footed CB who plays on the left. Beast of a defender, seems quite similar to Dier though. How quick is he?

 

[kursaal]

Noise from France that caleta-car of Monaco may be heading to us so that may end our interest in kounde.

West Ham have been trying for him. I'd love us to get him as he's a monster of a defender. Fingers crossed.

 

[Klinsmannic]

Another right footed CB who plays on the left. Beast of a defender, seems quite similar to Dier though. How quick is he?

Not super quick imo but not slow either- he's a big unit and uses his strength to hold off attackers in a foot race until he gets up to full speed with his long legs. Definitely slower than Kounde (and Romero) but seems faster than Dier, Toby and probably Rodon as far as I can tell.

 

[Spurrific]

Noise from France that caleta-car of Monaco may be heading to us so that may end our interest in kounde.

From where? I can only see one dreadful source on Twitter saying it. Not doubting you, I just can’t see any proper noise

 

[Sloop]

Noise from France that caleta-car of Monaco may be heading to us so that may end our interest in kounde.

Caleta-Car's at Marseille

 

[worcestersauce]

I am having absolutely none of this Marseillaise nonsense I'm just not having it.

 

[BedfordshireSpud]

I am having absolutely none of this Marseillaise nonsense I'm just not having it.

Looks like as supporters we are going to have to get used to this multi-target approach. Paratici seems to do it to deceive and confuse the media as much as shake out the best deals. Early results are encouraging though. Refreshing change from the last few years of inactivity.

 

[Dean]

West Ham have been trying for him. I'd love us to get him as he's a monster of a defender. Fingers crossed.

I'd be happy just to piss off the caravan dwellers.

The fact that he's a very decent defender is an added bonus.

 

[Hotspur88]

ValenciaYid....

"Coco is in Seville maybe he’ll have a word…"

I've said a few times don't be surprised if we pull this off after Romero and I know it's probably tongue in cheek from VY but the longer he has no interest from the CL clubs, the greater our chances are. The problem is, Paratici will have given him a deadline as he won't stand around and let a player dictate to us all summer.

 

[Dakes]

ValenciaYid....

"Coco is in Seville maybe he’ll have a word…"

I've said a few times don't be surprised if we pull this off after Romero and I know it's probably tongue in cheek from VY but the longer he has no interest from the CL clubs, the greater our chances are. The problem is, Paratici will have given him a deadline as he won't stand around and let a player dictate to us all summer.

I wouldn't have it be any other player. My man Coco coming with the conflict of interest. Yiddo!

 

[Romario]

ValenciaYid....

"Coco is in Seville maybe he’ll have a word…"

I've said a few times don't be surprised if we pull this off after Romero and I know it's probably tongue in cheek from VY but the longer he has no interest from the CL clubs, the greater our chances are. The problem is, Paratici will have given him a deadline as he won't stand around and let a player dictate to us all summer.

Totally agree, it's just not how the guy operates otherwise it's shifting the balance of power to the player instead and the nearer that deadline approaches the less negotiatory room the target has as he realises his options are running out. It's a clever ploy and one that seems to work well but rest assured there will also be a back up plan.

 

[Hotspur88]

Totally agree, it's just not how the guy operates otherwise it's shifting the balance of power to the player instead and the nearer that deadline approaches the less negotiatory room the target has as he realises his options are running out. It's a clever ploy and one that seems to work well but rest assured there will also be a back up plan.

There are definitely other names I've been given that you would categorise as back up plans but they're by no means average players and most would be happy with the alternatives.

 

[Jospur]

Very happy to hear Spurs are interested in Romero. Top-class talent.

What I’m having trouble with is the supposed interest in Kounde. Height being a principal concern. He’s only 178 cm tall. This being compounded by Romero’s height (185 cm) which though reasonable, is less than the main PL opposition.

Man City
Stones 188 cm
Dias 186 cm

Man Utd
Maguire 194 cm
Lindeloff 187 cm

Liverpool
Gomez 188 cm
van Dijk 193 cm

A central defense of Romero and Kounde would be targeted by opposing coaches - particularly problematic on free kicks and corners. It’s not only a height disadvantage - it’s also a bulk shortcoming. It’s tougher for a lighter player to stop a heavier one, especially in a dead-ball scenario.

This could be a disaster for Spurs.

 

[Karlinho]

He’s 5’ 8”. Check Wiki and check WhoScored.com.

169cm(five foot nothing) without the fro, which is amazing.

 

[King of the Lane]

Ffs this height talk is more boring than the constant potter xg BS in the new manager thread.

 

[Romario]

There are definitely other names I've been given that you would categorise as back up plans but they're by no means average players and most would be happy with the alternatives.

Brilliant news, thanks for that. He's certainly like somebody we have never seen before and it will take time for many fans to 'come on board' with his rather unique style of operating but I'm absolutely sure that he'll win the vast majority of supporters over eventually. I think we are so used to the old Levy style of chasing just one main target, stating our demands and then waiting for a response (only to eventually be disappointed and have to start all over again) that it will take time for his style of negotiating to be accepted and fully appreciated. I'm lucky in having experience of the guy when he was at Juve.
Exciting times