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Sevilla’s Director of Football, Monchi, has revealed Chelsea were the reason why Jules Kounde joined Barcelona instead of making a move to Stamford Bridge.
The 23-year-old completed his move to Barcelona on Thursday, subject to completing his medical and signing his contract.
Barcelona swooped in to win the race for Kounde ahead of Chelsea who had agreed a fee with Sevilla for the France international.
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But delays in finalising the deal and getting it over the line saw the Catalan side come back in at the last minute to reach an agreement.
Chelsea nor Thomas Tuchel are yet to comment on the failed defensive transfer pursuit, the story of their summer transfer window, but Sevilla chief Monchi has blamed Chelsea and believes it is their own fault why Kounde is not a blue.
He told SFC Radio: "Last Thursday we had an agreement with Chelsea and the player. When everything was closed and there was a good offer, everything stopped. And that's where Barca appeared.
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"The first time he contacted me was last Monday, with Mateu (Alemany). Barca made an effort and closed itself. Kounde was agreed to sell to Chelsea, there was an agreement with the player.
"At the club (Chelsea) they hesitated and said they wanted to wait. That wait was delayed and Barca appeared. It's true that Chelsea then wanted to come back, but Barca's offer in the end was better."
Chelsea did all of the hard work, getting their £55 million bid accepted, but in the end were the architects of their own downfall. Hesitation from the Blues gave Barcelona their chance, and Xavi’s side took it.
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Kounde was a long-term target of Chelsea’s. They nearly signed him last summer but Sevilla moved the goalposts towards the end of the transfer window.
The defender expressed his delight at signing for Barcelona, telling Barca TV: "Xavi is largely responsible (for the decision). His speech excited me.
"I spoke several times with him. The conversations were very fluid and he gave me the feeling that we see football in the same way.
"I'm going to come and hopefully do my best to play a leading role for this club.
"I'm very proud, grateful and excited because I have arrived at a very big club with a team that is also like that.
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"I want to start playing with the team and join my team-mates as soon as possible.
"Sevilla are a great club but Barcelona is one more step in my career on every level, especially sporting. I will try to win as many titles as possible."
More time has been wasted by Chelsea, with it appearing Thomas Tuchel had the final say on whether Kounde joined or not.
Defensive target after defensive target has been missed out on and now it’s a scramble to bring in defensive additions before the beginning of the 2022/23 season which gets underway next week.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Jules Kounde, Chelsea, Barcelona, Thomas Tuchel, Sevilla, Football
