JULES KOUNDE NEWS

Barcelona wins Spanish league for 1st time since 2019

Barcelona has captured its first La Liga title since 2019 behind two goals by Robert Lewandowski.

MAY 14, 2023

One assist in win Kounde registered an assist and attempted four crosses (one accurate) in Saturday's 4-0 win over Real Betis.

Impact Kounde did not much have much defensive work to do against 10 men, and was regularly able to get into attacking positions down the right flank, creating three goal-scoring opportunities in total. He has three assists this season, two more than he managed in any previous campaign.

MAY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Fives galore vs. Getafe Kounde generated five crosses (zero accurate) and five clearances in Sunday's 0-0 draw versus Getafe.

Impact Surprisingly, Kounde had Barcelona's best cross tally despite not diverting significantly from his usual center-back position. Less surprisingly, he also had the Catalans' most clearances as they maintained another clean sheet. Both achievements will be welcome for Barcelona's biggest April game, against Atletico Madrid next Sunday.

APRIL 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Active defensively versus Elche Kounde had one shot on goal, made two tackles (one won), seven clearances, two interceptions and one block and helped his side to keep a clean sheet during Saturday's 4-0 win over...

Impact Kounde was once again deployed as a right-back after starting the previous two contests as a center-back but the constant position switching does not affect his numbers at all as he was the one of the better numbers among the members of Barcelona's defensive line. With 20 clearances over his last four starts, Kounde has been definitely trending up as a fantasy contributor.

APRIL 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Man Utd: Erik ten Hag fumes at referee as Barcelona's Jules Kounde escapes red in Europa League draw Jules Kounde brought down Marcus Rashford on the edge of the Barcelona area as the last man, but referee Maurizio Mariani and the VAR decide...

FEBRUARY 16, 2023 • SKY.COM

Keeps clean sheet in win Kounde made a clearance and won two of two tackles in Saturday's 1-0 victory against Girona.

Impact Kounde returned to right-back Saturday as his side kept a third consecutive clean sheet in La Liga in shutting out Girona.

JANUARY 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Wins four tackles in loss Kounde won four-of-four tackles during Sunday's World Cup final loss to Argentina after penalties.

Impact Kounde finishes an exceptional tournament playing as a right-back instead of in the center of defense. He made one big mistake when out of position as Ousmane Dembele conceded a penalty for the opening goal but otherwise was difficult to beat. Given his reliability for France, keeping Kounde healthy will be a major part of the coming months at Barcelona.

DECEMBER 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Who's deeper, France or Argentina? Our ultimate World Cup XI

Who has the best player at every position for Sunday's World Cup final? We combined France and Argentina's rosters to make an ultimate XI.

DECEMBER 15, 2022

Regular for France Kounde started all three knockout round matches for France, producing two shots (one on target), one chance created and six tackles (three won).

Impact Kounde has well and truly taken the starting right-back role for France and is set to compete for the World Cup title against Argentina on Sunday. The defender has yet to get on the score sheet in the World Cup, and has just created a single chance, as he continues to be a more defensive option at full-back.

DECEMBER 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Makes three blocks in win Kounde created one chance and made three blocks during Saturday's 2-1 win over England.

Impact Kounde has performed as well as he can on the right flank instead of his natural position as a central-defender. Though he should continue to start in the final two games of the tournament, Kounde isn't positioned to contribute outstanding numbers.

DECEMBER 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

France preaching focus as it nears World Cup repeat, but confidence abounds

France is seeking to pump the brakes on repeat talk, but there is a quiet confidence brewing. And it's beginning to percolate at the perfect...

DECEMBER 11, 2022

Wins two tackles against Poland Kounde won two-of three tackles during Sunday's 3-1 win over Poland.

Impact Kounde has started at right-back in two of the last three games, earning a place over Benjamin Pavard in the lineup. As Pavard has been left on the bench in three straight games, Kounde seems to have won the job despite his limited offensive abilities.

DECEMBER 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Kounde forced to remove gold chains during World Cup match

France defender Jules Kounde was told by a match official to remove two gold chains he was wearing during the defending World Cup champions' match against Poland

DECEMBER 4, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

One start in group stage Kounde made one start during the 2022 World Cup group stage, going the full 90 against Denmark.

Impact Kounde was injured coming into the World Cup and played just a single minute in the opener. Evidently that was enough Kounde to be deemed fully fit for the clash with Denmark, which proved to be the most important match of the group stage. Kounde was rested in the finale, but could return straight to the starting XI in the knockout stage.

NOVEMBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

On bench for World Cup clash Kounde (thigh) will be an option off the bench versus Australia on Tuesday.

Impact Kounde had been sidelined for three straight matches for his club in the lead-up to the World Cup but appears to have recovered his fitness. Even with Kounde fully fit, he may be hard-pressed to break into the starting XI for France.

NOVEMBER 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Pictured in training Kounde (thigh) was pictured running in training before the World Cup opener.

Impact Kounde was pictured in training as he continues to make his way back from a thigh issue. The defender missed his final three domestic matches but appears to be set to return for Tuesday's World Cup opener. Raphael Varane is also uncertain for the opening match, meaning Kounde could return immediately to the starting XI if fit.

NOVEMBER 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

France adds Thuram for World Cup, Disasi replaces Kimpembe

Marcus Thuram has been handed the last spot in the France squad that will defend its World Cup title in Qatar while Monaco's uncapped Axel Disasi has also been called after Presnel...

NOVEMBER 14, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Varane, Kimpembe and Giroud named in France World Cup squad

France coach Didier Deschamps picked central defenders Raphael Varane and Prensel Kimpembe in a World Cup squad named amid injury concerns

NOVEMBER 9, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Out against Osasuna Kounde (thigh) isn't available for Tuesday's match against Osasuna.

Impact Kounde has missed each of the last two matches with a thigh issue and remains out for the final club match before the World Cup. As his injury should be a minor one, Kounde will hope he still has a shot of playing for France at the World Cup and the retiring Gerard Pique could get one more start in Pamplona.

NOVEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Still out against Almeria Kounde (thigh) continues to be absent for Saturday's match against Almeria.

Impact Kounde wasn't expected to miss much time past Tuesday's 4-2 win over Viktoria Plzen but he'll remain out over the weekend as well. Tuesday's trip to Osasuna will be Kounde's final chance to play at club level before the World Cup break.

NOVEMBER 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Barcelona provide injury updates on Jules Kounde & Eric Garcia Barcelona have issued updates on injuries picked up by Jules Kounde and Eric Garcia.

OCTOBER 30, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Strains thigh in win Kounde suffered a strained left thigh during Saturday's 1-0 win over Valencia, his club confirmed Sunday.

Impact Kounde and Eric Garcia both went down with muscular injuries in Saturday's game, leaving Barca without two starting central defenders. While neither are expected to be out for more than Tuesday's trip to Viktoria Plzen, it's not good that Kounde has suffered two muscular injuries in the last month with the World Cup not far away. In his absence, Andreas Christensen (ankle) isn't far from returning and Gerard Pique could also feature.

OCTOBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Forced off early with issue Kounde departed Saturday's matchup with Valencia after 74 minutes with an apparent injury.

Impact The young defender was replaced by Gerard Pique, who would probably see the bulk of playing time should Kounde be sidelined for an extended period. In any event, it's a tough blow for fantasy owners and Barcelona supporters alike, as this isn't the first injury to have cropped up in recent history. Only time will tell if the issue is related to the hamstring problem he experienced earlier this year.

OCTOBER 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Starting against Real Madrid Kounde (hamstring) made the starting lineup against Real Madrid.

Impact Kounde is a massive piece to return after missing four games with an injury picked up during the international break. Following Gerard Pique's dismal efforts in a midweek draw with Inter Milan, Kounde provides the first step to returning the team to better fitness, though it might be too late to salvage their European dreams.

OCTOBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Could play Sunday Kounde (hamstring) is out for Wednesday's match against Inter Milan but could play Sunday against Real Madrid, manager Xavi announced Tuesday.

Impact Some reports had suggested Kounde is completely out of contention for Sunday's Clasico but the manager is at least giving him a chance of returning. For now, Gerard Pique, Eric Garcia and apparently Marcos Alonso are options to start as central defenders. Due to an injury picked up during the international break, Kounde will have missed four straight games after Wednesday.

OCTOBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE