Kounde revealed his reason for preferring Barcelona over Chelsea

Jules Kounde claimed that the reason he joined Barcelona and rejected Chelsea's offer was because he preferred Xavi's talk to Thomas Tuchel's.

Chelsea have been in talks with Kounde since last summer to finalize his transfer to Stamford Bridge. In the recent transfer window, it seemed that the French defender would go to the Premier League, but in a sudden turn, he signed a 5-year contract with Barcelona. However, Sevilla sporting director Monchi claimed that Barcelona swooped in and finalized the transfer just as Chelsea withdrew their offer due to doubt. Kounde now announced another reason for preferring the Blaugrana to the London Blues.

"First, I have come to a huge club, which has known good times and which, lately, has had less.

"I come to a project that I would not call reconstruction, because we already have a competitive team, but rather, being upturned.

"I was interested in being part of this new wave, in search of titles, and to put Barca back where it has always been, among the best clubs. 

"Then there was the conversation with the coach. We talked about football. I felt a real confidence from him, that he had a real knowledge of myself, my game and my qualities.

"I spoke with Tuchel and I also felt that he wanted me to come, but I simply preferred Xavi's speech."

At the beginning of Kounde's stay at Barca, the Blaugrana had trouble registering him, and the French defender could not play for his team in the first few games. However, the club's economic improvement eventually led to the signing of Kounde, and he has been one of Xavi's most effective players during his time with the team.

Follow

for the