Reports revealed today that FC Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is planning to give the team's star a new role, starting with the 2026/2027 season, as the Blaugrana face Elche.
Barcelona will face Elche this evening in the second round of the Spanish La Liga, in a match where the Blaugrana aim to secure a victory and start the season on a positive note.
The newspaper "Sport" highlighted FC Barcelona star Jules Koundé, confirming that the French international will return to playing as a center-back in the new season.
Sport emphasized Koundé's appearance as a center-back during Barcelona's match against Al Ahly last week in the Joan Gamper Trophy friendly, which is the player's original position that he played in during previous years.
Flick preferred to rely on Eric García as the right-back against Al Ahly, while Koundé and Gerard Martín played as center-backs, and Alejandro Balde played as the left-back.
The report added that Flick did not place Koundé as a center-back against Al Ahly by chance, but rather intends to play the French international in this position during the season, as the French international is proficient in playing as a center-back and played in this position throughout his time at Sevilla before moving to Barcelona in 2022.
Also read .. Obstacle facing Barcelona in its pursuit to sign a replacement for Alvarez
The report clarified that although Koundé was among the best defenders in La Liga during his time at Sevilla, the player transformed into a right-back with Barcelona and excelled in this position, given his quality, speed on the ball, and ability to defend in space, and he developed significantly under Flick.
Koundé has also established himself as a right-back with the French national team, and the player contributed to the Les Bleus reaching the World Cup semifinals.
The report continued, stating that Koundé's decline in form last season opened the door to the idea of him returning to play as a center-back, alongside Ronald Araújo's departure to Liverpool, while Flick had been studying the move to return the French international to his original position for several weeks.
Sport continued, saying that Eric García's excellence in the right-back position last season is one of the main reasons for Koundé's return to playing as a center-back, and it appears that Flick is keen for the former Manchester City player to be the first choice as right-back at Barcelona.
The report further noted that Koundé will face a challenge this season to prove himself as a center-back and confirm his performance against Al Ahly, while the player faces fierce competition for a starting spot from Pau Cubarsí, Gerard Martín, Andreas Christensen, and Álvaro Cortés.
Sport confirmed that the speed factor possessed by Koundé will play an important role in the player remaining a starter as a center-back, as the player can handle space, in addition to his extensive experience.
