JULES KOUNDE -THE SOLUTION TO MANCHESTER UNITED’S 80 MILLION PROBLEM

Can Jules Kounde solve Manchester United's defensive issues?
[via Brazil Scout]

Harry Maguire was part of the first transfer window under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The England international arrived at Old Trafford for a world-record fee of €80 million. The highest ever for a defender. But things haven't really gone too well for the player. A defender to compliment him is still an enigma for Manchester United. The near-perfect CB, Eric Bailly, is almost always injured. The Victor Lindelof pairing is not up to the mark and Axel Tuanzebe is relatively inexperienced. The club is looking for a new CB who can complement well for Maguire’s shortcomings.

Amongst a host of options, Jules Kounde of Sevilla seems to be perfectly suited for the role. Here in this article, we see how Jules Kounde will fit into Solskjaer's starting XI and form a world-class CB partnership with the skipper. The club will be hoping that this signing can take them back to the glory days.

THE ISSUE AT MANCHESTER UNITED

Maguire has performed better alongside Bailly
[via MEN]

Statistically, Maguire is one of the best defenders in the league. Yes, you heard it right. He excels in most aerial duels won (113), interceptions (47) and other defensive duties. The main problem with him is his pace. A defender who can cover for him is a must. Eric Bailly is the best suitor for him, but injuries have stalled the Ivorian’s career growth at Old Trafford.

So finding a centre-back of the right profile is much needed at MUFC, who are due course in challenging for the Premier League title. Being a right-footed player, Maguire is confident more when he plays on the right side of the defence, so bringing in a left-footed CB is a priority for the club. Ole has stated the need for such a player numerous times.

WHO IS JULES KOUNDE?

Jules Kounde has been a revelation for Sevilla since his arrival from Bordeaux
[via Teller Report]

Looking at all these aspects, the club and the manager have identified Jules Kounde as a primary target. Hailing from the Bordeaux academy and rising to the first team under coach Gus Poyet, Kounde earned himself a 25 million transfer to Sevilla FC in 2019. He formed a good centre back pairing with Diego Carlos at the Spanish club. The partnership helped Sevilla in bringing the 2019-20 Europa League trophy to Estadio Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan for the sixth time. In fact, on their victory course, Kounde and his Sevilla knocked out favourites, Manchester United, in the semi-final.

WHAT DOES HE BRING TO MANCHESTER UNITED?

Jules Kounde! 🔴

United MUST sign him!

Harry Maguire seems to be set in his position. Therefore needs a partner to compliment him. Kounde has exceptional speed, good reading of the game, strong in the air and with potential to grow.

See graph below via @ViziFootball!#MUFC pic.twitter.com/P5BwqbQpCL

— Manutd Analytics (@Utd_Analytics) February 10, 2021

Jules Kounde is a neat and tidy defender as compared to his counterpart Diego Carlos. Rather than lunging into tackles, he tends to delay his actions and likes to close down the angles. As a result, he has fewer number of tackles and interceptions but is rarely dribbled past. One of his major strength is his positional awareness. He interprets the opposition-run and provides a good cover for his more offensive partner. Moreover, Sevilla defends as per zonal marking, where he shows his responsibility in sharing and defending his zone.

Kounde is immaculate with the ball at his feet, suiting Ole's playing out from the back system
[via TWunroll]

Aerial ability is one of the areas where the Frenchman is highly influential. He has won 88% of his aerial duels in the last 365 days compared to the 44% of Victor Lindelof. Being 178 cm tall Kounde is assumed to be aerially weak by the opposition teams, but he still wins most of his headers. Victor is one of the fit centre backs in the United squad and this stat shows exactly why Kounde is widely touted by MUFC. He is a pacy and athletic player who can easily cover for Maguire when he pushes forward - something Harry has been missing since the 2018 World Cup and his United move.

The Frenchman has a very good injury history
[via Scoreboard.com]

A SOLID CB FOR THE YEARS TO COME

Solskjaer demands more defensive solidity and would love to start by adding Jules Kounde
[via Teamtalk]

Kounde is a young defender who is learning his trade and yet is one of the best up and coming players. Like any other young player, he too has areas to improve. Decision making is one of those areas. Having a good aerial dual success percentage, Kounde doesn't have many headed goals to his names. This is also a point in which he can improve, so can our skipper.

At 22 years of age, Kounde is one of the best defenders in La Liga. Reliable sources saying Ole has made the Frenchman his primary target as the long term partner for Harry Maguire despite being a right-footer shows how the immense quality he promises. Jules Kounde might be the solution to Manchester United’s defensive woes.