Barcelona defender facing tough fight as Hansi Flick makes major decision | OneFootball

Jules Kounde’s position at Barcelona has changed considerably at the start of the 2026/27 campaign, with the French defender facing a fight for regular minutes and the club still open to a late transfer if the right offer arrives.

According to SPORT, Kounde is no longer guaranteed a place in Flick’s starting XI despite previously being one of the coach’s most trusted players. 

As previously reported, a tactical decision involving Eric Garcia has influenced the defensive picture and left the France international facing stronger competition for minutes.

Eric Garcia’s rise changes Kounde’s role

Flick has settled on Garcia as his preferred option at right-back after using the Spaniard in several positions last season.

Garcia spent much of the previous campaign filling gaps wherever Barcelona needed him, appearing as a centre-back, full-back and even in midfield. 

Kounde is no longer untouchable at Barcelona. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Flick now believes the player’s characteristics are better suited to a permanent role on the right side of defence, a decision that has effectively pushed Kounde back into central defence.

On paper, that should have suited the Frenchman since centre-back is the position in which he has traditionally been most comfortable, and he had previously expressed his preference for playing there after joining Barcelona.

The problem is that the competition in the middle has become intense.

Right now, Pau Cubarsi and Gerard Martin have established themselves as the leading central defensive partnership at the beginning of the season, while Andreas Christensen has also strengthened his position.

Kounde therefore finds himself competing in a position that is already well supplied.

Kounde’s limited minutes tell the story

Kounde is yet to start in La Liga this season. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

The impact of Flick’s reshuffle has already been visible in La Liga.

Kounde has featured for just 20 minutes across Barcelona’s opening two league matches, which is a surprisingly small involvement for a player who had been a regular fixture in the team.

Sure, it is still early in the season, and the Frenchman’s versatility means he can provide Flick with solutions in more than one position. But the initial selection pattern is difficult to ignore.

Furthermore, the club has not completely closed the door on a departure and would consider a significant offer if the financial conditions were right. 

However, that does not mean Barcelona are actively pushing Kounde towards the exit, but they are prepared to listen during the final days of the window.