Just a few days ago, Chelsea appeared to have defeated Barcelona to sign the intriguing Jules Kounde, but they now seems destined to lose out.
Barcelona, who had been the Blues’ worst nightmare during the summer transfer window, has struck once more with a last-minute rush to capture the highly regarded Sevilla defender.
According to reports, Chelsea and Kounde were in advanced negotiations for a £55 million transfer as Barcelona appeared to be thrown out of the running due to budgetary constraints.
The 23-year-old was instructed by the Blaugrana to hold off on starting a chase until they could raise the necessary finances, and over the weekend, their desire grew more intense.
As a result of Kounde’s preference for a dream transfer to the Nou Camp, a deal is now regarded as being near, and they may even wind up paying less than Chelsea were willing to.
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What happens next for Thomas Tuchel? In spite of bringing in Kalidou Koulibaly and looking for a replacement for Kounde, he already has a centre defender in his ranks who is eager for a chance to shine.
The previous season, Levi Colwill flourished while on loan at Huddersfield Town in the Championship, assisting the Terriers in to the Play-Off Final.
And thus far in preseason, the 19-year-old has attracted people’s attention, prompting some to say Tuchel may save millions by taking a chance on him.
Mason Mount is one of the people he has impressed, and the midfielder has praised Colwill for following a similar developmental path to him by going on loan from Chelsea’s youth to the Championship. He has praised the centre left defender for his development at West Yorkshire.
“You can see with Levi the important experience he has earned while on loan,” remarked Mount. I know this because I went through it, and when I watched him practise with us before he played, I could tell he was a really talented player, but he needed that experience.
“To travel and play in the Championship and, like I did, advance to a Play-Off Final, is a priceless experience that is really beneficial. I believe he gained a lot of knowledge from that.
He has matured as a player and a person, and I believe that he now believes he can help our squad and us. He will have a chance to really move up, therefore he must continue to put in a lot of effort in training.”
Colwill wasn’t in Tuchel’s plans for this season, based on his initial ambitions to sign three centre backs in the transfer market. However, the starlet’s preseason performance may have inspired a change of heart and might
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