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What Hansi Flick and Barcelona reckon about Jules Kounde's recent performances
The defender hasn't been playing his best lately
Jules Kounde and Lamine Yamal during Barcelona's match against Mallorca in LaLiga on 7 February 2026 at the Camp Nou.
Jules Kounde's performances have been under the microscope this season, with the French international finding it hard to consistently hit top form for Barcelona.
Saturday's win over Mallorca raised fresh concerns about Kounde, especially as Jan Virgili gave him a difficult afternoon at the Camp Nou.
According to a report from Diario Sport, Flick reckons some of the reasons for his dip in form include the sheer number of matches he's had to play and the "mental strain" of playing right-back for Barcelona.
Kounde isn't just expected to defend – he's also got to support Lamine Yamal going forward. Flick is apparently reluctant to give Kounde a rest because he sees him as a crucial part of his first-choice eleven.
The report notes that Flick has tried to rest Kounde in Copa del Rey matches against Real Oviedo and Albacete, but ended up having to bring him on anyway.
Despite the occasional mistake, the Barcelona manager thinks Kounde is simply "too important" to leave on the bench, though he's said to be confident we'll see the Frenchman back to his best in the final months of the season.