Barcelona defender under scrutiny after series of costly mistakes | OneFootball

Since joining FC Barcelona from Sevilla in 2022, French defender Jules Kounde has remained an integral part of the Blaugrana squad. Initially deployed as a centre-back under Xavi Hernandez, he was later established as the team’s first-choice right-back by both Xavi and Hansi Flick.

In both these positions, he has generally played at quite a high level, and has also given the fans some memorable moments, like his winning strike against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final last season. He has also been a very good partner for Lamine Yamal on the right side of the pitch.

However, as Mundo Deportivo has noted, he has not started this 2025-26 season in a glittering fashion, and has been at the center of several follies that have, or could have, cost the Blaugrana team dearly.

Hansi Flick appeared to sense the dip early on, preferring Eric Garcia as his right-back in the first three fixtures. When Kounde returned to the lineup against Real Sociedad, his struggles were again visible.

He failed to contain Barrenetxea on the opening goal, narrowly avoided a red card after a reckless challenge, and nearly gifted La Real an equalizer in stoppage time by dwelling too long on the ball.

Despite those lapses, Kounde managed to redeem himself partially with a goal that sparked Barça’s comeback that day. Yet the same defensive frailties resurfaced soon after.

Against PSG, he was at fault for the first goal, failing to close down his man or make the necessary tactical foul. In the following clash with Sevilla, his loose control of the ball led directly to the home side’s second goal, once again exposing a lapse in concentration.

If Kounde cannot quickly rediscover his sharpness and defensive composure, Flick may be forced to consider alternative options at right-back.

The Frenchman remains a player of immense quality, but to maintain his starting role at Barcelona, he must soon return to the reliable form that once made him one of Barça’s most trusted defenders.