Jules Koundé

[Yid-ol]

So we've been told, but what if Sevilla use the Kounde money and make him their top replacement target? Levy has rarely been one to turn down a bid when it matches his valuation for the player. We know he was Sevilla's top Kounde replacement target earlier in the summer, so Kounde leaving would seem to at least put the possibility back in play.

Levy isn't in charge of transfers.

Sevilla would probably want a replacement lined up before they sell, so we could really mess it up for Chelsea and string along a fake Sanchez deal and pull it last minute meaning Sevilla don't sell to Chelsea. Everyone's happy!

 

[Matthew]

imo, chelsea will WALK the league this season. So strong.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

imo, chelsea will WALK the league this season. So strong.

I don’t think anyone will walk the league - too many good sides.

Look at last year’s top 4 - all excellent sides - and then add the layer below: Us, Leicester, West Ham, Everton - all can be really threatening on their day and will take points off the top teams on and off.

The Prem looks as strong as it’s ever been

But I agree with the thrust of what you’re saying, being: their squad is incredibly strong and they stand a very good chance of winning it

 

[Matthew]

I don’t think anyone will walk the league - too many good sides.

Look at last year’s top 4 - all excellent sides - and then add the layer below: Us, Leicester, West Ham, Everton - all can be really threatening on their day and will take points off the top teams on and off.

The Prem looks as strong as it’s ever been

hmm. agree with the top 4, but the rest aren't good enough - maybe Leicester - spammers will fall away, and Everton aren't great.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

hmm. agree with the top 4, but the rest aren't good enough - maybe Leicester - spammers will fall away, and Everton aren't great.

Its not that that group will challenge, but my point is that on their day, they’ll likely take points off the top teams - so will be a hard season

 

[Mattspurs1982]

I don’t think anyone will walk the league - too many good sides.

Look at last year’s top 4 - all excellent sides - and then add the layer below: Us, Leicester, West Ham, Everton - all can be really threatening on their day and will take points off the top teams on and off.

The Prem looks as strong as it’s ever been

But I agree with the thrust of what you’re saying, being: their squad is incredibly strong and they stand a very good chance of winning it

what about Arsenal? What layer are they now?

 

[Ron Burgundy]

what about Arsenal? What layer are they now?

Who?

 

[Cavehillspur]

Not fussed about this, he never wanted us. Get Tomiyasu in and we're in ok shape defensively imo, hopefully Dave and Dier continue their resurgence under Nuno and that Romero rips it up in the league once he settles.

 

[Aphex]

Chelsea signing all the top talent, makes you feel sick.

 

[worcestersauce]

Or maybe not.

 

[mil1lion]

Always felt we needed a left centre back anyway. We should just get Tomiyasu sorted and our defence will look stronger.

 

[DJS]

imo, chelsea will WALK the league this season. So strong.

I think they’re stronger than City now they’ve bought Lukaku back.

They have unbelievable quality depth across entire square aside from centre back maybe, but even then the options there aren’t too shabby!

 

[AJW]

 

[glacierSpurs]

Good. Chelscum wouldn't get their player and Kounde can stay as he continues to look for his CL team he yearns.

 

[spursfan77]

Not that we are after him anymore but:

Chelsea have halted their proposed signing of defender Jules Kounde and are not expected to resurrect the deal unless Sevilla reduce their asking price.

The France international looked certain to be the next expensive arrival at Stamford Bridge following the £98.5 million acquisition of Romelu Lukaku.

As The Athletic revealed in July, Chelsea have been pursuing the centre-back for two years and were pushing to get a deal done this summer. Sources have also revealed how coach Thomas Tuchel has been talking about his potential arrival with members of the senior squad.

But in a dramatic turn of events, Chelsea have decided to stop their pursuit because Sevilla suddenly increased the asking price. It is believed Chelsea thought they had a verbal agreement already in place over the fee, but the La Liga club are now said to be requesting €15 million (around £12.8 million) more than was originally discussed.

Chelsea have opted not to increase their offer and, if Sevilla do not lower their demands, are set to stick with their existing options, possibly with the proviso of addressing the situation in January.

Tuchel still has Thiago Silva, Andreas Christensen, Antonio Rudiger, Cesar Azpilicueta, Reece James and Trevoh Chalobah to choose from to play in his favoured back-three formation.

The news that Kounde, 22, is now very unlikely to come, barring a dramatic late turnaround, may be particularly beneficial to Chalobah. He has impressed Tuchel since reporting for pre-season training in July and started the UEFA Super Cup final, as well as the opening Premier League match against Crystal Palace. The 22-year-old is expected to be rewarded with a new long-term contract too.

Sevilla’s apparent change of stance appeared to follow the sale of Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma to West Ham for £29.8 million, which was finally completed over the weekend.

Another complication has been caused by Sevilla’s concerns over finding a replacement, particularly at this late stage of the market.

Potential candidates have been suggested to and rejected by Sevilla. Another option, Lille’s Sven Botman, has been deemed too expensive.

Kounde didn’t attend Sevilla’s La Liga match at Elche on Saturday and travelled to join up with the France squad instead.

 

[worcestersauce]

Hate to say I told you so but I told you so, Sevilla were set on a Sanchez Kounde deal Chelsea buggered that up with the Zouma con trick and now Sanchez is not on the market so they are going to make chelsea pay an arm and a leg for Kounde.

 

[spids]

The only way we buy Kounde now is if Nuno wants to play with 3 CBs IMO. Sanchez and Dier have really shown they can be Romero's partner this season. If we have ~70M euros knocking about the place we should spend it on a creative 'unlocker' of deep defences.

 

[crazyguitarman]

I would still be keen on the swap for Sanchez if it is still on. IIRC they were happy at Sevilla with an exchange deal due to some sell-on clause for Kounde.

 

[easley91]

But but but I thought Chelsea would wrap this up in a matter of days?

 

[Filips]

I would still be keen on the swap for Sanchez if it is still on. IIRC they were happy at Sevilla with an exchange deal due to some sell-on clause for Kounde.

At the end of the day it's still up to the player, and he doesn't want to play for us.