Barcelona defender Jules Kounde will stay in the club for some time, after having announced a new contract with the club. The French defender revealed the same amount to the press in South Korea.
Last week reports of an agreement about a new contract were created and it was reported that the intention was to announce the deal before they left for their previous season tour through Asia. The arrival of Marcus Rashford, however, changed the timing of the club and the deal will now be officially made on their return.
“Everything is ready to renew until 2030 when we return to Barcelona. It was fast,” he said Marca, after the Barcelona training session on Wednesday in Seoul.
“The club and I had the same idea to stay. I am very happy, I feel comfortable with the team, with the ambition, and I am very grateful that I am in an institution where we are fighting for each title every year. I was not going to leave.”
Next season is the plan that Kounde will continue as Barcelona's first choice right back. In the past this has been described as a dealbreaker for Kounde, who prefers to play in the central defense, and before last season, fought for a return to the center of the field. But under film, Kounde said he was satisfied there.
“Nothing has been put in football in football,” he laughed. “I am only 26, and it is true that I played full-back. I hope to take a step forward this year. I am always available for the coach; he knows that I can play in both positions. I will always feel more like a center-back, because I was trained as one, but I am happy.”
In the meantime, Captain and goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen is the focus of the headlines, talking about a departure and possibly losing his leading position that follows him. The 33-year-old was operated on Tuesday and will be out for the next four months. Kounde had the following to say about this issue.
“He is not with us now, and it is not a subject that we discuss. We know it is a difficult situation for him, as a teammate and as a person. The captain's question is not one for me, it is for the manager and depends on what the club wants to do.”