Fatigued Barcelona defender could sit out against Celta Vigo if replacement is fit | OneFootball

According to SPORT, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is seriously considering giving Jules Kounde a well-deserved rest for their upcoming La Liga encounter against Celta Vigo. 

The 26-year-old defender, who has been a cornerstone in Barça’s backline, is reportedly suffering from significant fatigue after an intense run of games.

As such, he has played nine consecutive matches, completing the full 90 minutes in eight of them, and did not take part in group training on Friday. 

The accumulation of minutes is beginning to take its toll, and Flick may decide it’s finally time to give the 25-year-old a breather.

Another factor behind Kounde’s recent dip in sharpness is Lamine Yamal’s fitness issues. 

The youngster has not been at full capacity since the start of the season, which has affected his defensive contribution on the right wing. 

As a result, Kounde has often found himself more exposed, forced to cover more ground and defend without consistent support.

What are Flick’s options?

Jules Kounde could be rested against Celta Vigo. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

The situation has been worsened by Barça’s ongoing injury crisis, which has limited Flick’s ability to rotate his defenders. 

During Friday’s open training session at Spotify Camp Nou, Kounde posed for the team photo in street shoes, signalling he was sitting out training.

However, the defender is “OK and should not have problems for Sunday.” However, whether he starts will largely depend on Garcia’s readiness. 

If the Spaniard is fit, he could slot in at right-back, allowing Kounde to take a break.

Interestingly, Garcia himself is managing discomfort after a nasal fracture. He wore a protective mask during training but did not seem completely comfortable with it. 

As a result, his inclusion in the starting eleven remains uncertain.

Meanwhile, Xavi Espart, a promising La Masia defender, is an emergency option, although throwing him into a tough away match seems unlikely at this stage.