Kounde’s Barcelona standing shifts as Flick backs Garcia on the right

Jules Kounde’s position at Barcelona has changed dramatically since he arrived at Spotify Camp Nou, with the France international facing a fight to recover his former importance under manager Hansi Flick.

According to Sport, Kounde was previously considered an indispensable starter, both during Xavi Hernandez’s time in charge and through the early part of Flick’s tenure. However, the defender has now moved into a secondary role within the Barcelona squad at the start of this season.

The change means Kounde must compete strongly if he is to regain his prominent place in Flick’s plans.

The possibility of a reshaped defensive hierarchy had already emerged in the roadmap drawn up by the German coach at the end of last season. Flick’s technical staff planned for Eric Garcia to take permanent ownership of the right-back position.

Garcia spent the previous year operating as an emergency solution in several positions. He played at centre-back, right-back and even as a defensive midfielder, but Flick now believes he is the ideal player to provide stability on the right and develop a smooth partnership with Lamine Yamal on that flank.

That decision was expected to send Kounde back into central defence, the position in which he has traditionally felt most comfortable. Kounde himself had asked to play there during the early months of his Barcelona career. Yet his route back into the centre of the defence is not straightforward because competition for those places has also intensified.

Pau Cubarsi and Gerard Martin have started the season in a settled position within the squad and are regarded as the first-choice options for the starting line-up. Andreas Christensen has also made a strong impression during pre-season and retains the complete trust of the coaching staff.

Kounde’s reduced status has already been reflected in Barcelona’s opening competitive fixtures. Across the first two La Liga matches, the French defender’s involvement was limited and fell well short of the number of minutes he had previously been accustomed to playing.

The situation comes after a season in which Kounde’s performances declined compared with his first campaign under Flick. He now faces the demanding task of working consistently in training and matches to alter the manager’s view of him and re-establish his value to the team.

His contractual situation and long-term future were also considered by Barcelona during the summer transfer window. With the market still open and an entire season ahead, Kounde’s immediate challenge is to show Flick through his daily work that he deserves a more important sporting role.

For now, the defender’s status represents an unprecedented turn since his arrival at Spotify Camp Nou. A player who was once a near-automatic starter must now fight for recognition in a Barcelona defence where Garcia’s progress on the right and the strength of the central defensive options have narrowed his opportunities.

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