Koundé loses starting spot: The battle to regain Flick's trust

Jules Koundé is going through his toughest period since joining Barcelona. According to sources from Catalan outlet Sport, the French defender is no longer a priority option at right-back under manager Hansi Flick. The change began last June, when Flick made it clear he prefers a different profile of full-back – more mobile, better attacking support – rather than a converted centre-back like Koundé. Koundé is a natural centre-back, but due to squad shortages at right-back, he has often been deployed out of position. Last season, his form dropped noticeably, and other players outperformed him in that role. This led to Koundé losing his near-guaranteed starting spot. The opening weeks of the current season have confirmed the shift in status: he is no longer the first name on the teamsheet. Faced with the difficult situation, Koundé did not choose to complain or demand an immediate exit. Instead, he intensified his training. Sources say he spends extra hours in the gym, adds individual sessions after team training, aiming to improve physical conditioning and endurance. His goal is to regain trust from Flick – who has not prioritised him since summer. However, the issue runs deeper than physical metrics. Koundé is fighting a tactical problem: how can a converted centre-back adapt to the demands of an attacking full-back? Extra gym work may improve strength and speed, but cannot change the defensive instincts of a centre-back who thinks about holding position rather than overlapping and crossing. Alongside the sporting dimension, the transfer story is heating up. Sport reported that Barcelona's sporting management is ready to consider a sale if a suitable offer arrives. Notably, the player himself is no longer opposed to moving on. This two-way signal increases the likelihood of a transfer in the upcoming window. In the past, Koundé was monitored by major European clubs, including Manchester City. The elite interest during his peak shows his market value remains significant. If Barcelona decides to sell, they could get a substantial fee while freeing up a tight wage bill. However, it all remains at the rumour stage. No official bid, no specific fee has been revealed. Independent confirmation is needed before treating this as a credible deal. In terms of public opinion, Koundé is in a vicious cycle: losing his spot leads to sale rumours, which reinforce the image of a player under assessment. But the Goal.com article – aggregating from Sport – also stresses that nobody can question Koundé's professionalism. He still trains hard, still fights. This lowers the risk of open conflict in the dressing room. Manager Flick, who holds decisive power over the line-up, remains silent. No public praise for Koundé, which can be interpreted as an unofficial signal that he is not fully trusted. If Flick does not change his mind, Koundé will struggle to win back the spot through extra sessions alone. A plausible scenario is Koundé returning to centre-back – his natural position. Barcelona have many options in central defence, but if injuries or rotation arise, Koundé remains a quality backup. However, a positional switch may not fully resolve the trust issue with the manager. Looking forward, Koundé's future depends on three factors: first, whether he can deliver good performances when given opportunities; second, whether any official offers come from big clubs; third, Flick's decision on continuing to trust him. The signals from the training ground are positive, but football is not just about training. Koundé needs a convincing match performance to change the situation. Otherwise, his departure from Camp Nou next summer is highly likely. In summary, Koundé's story is a lesson in adaptation and patience. He is a professional, quality player, but in an unsuitable tactical system, all efforts may be in vain. Barcelona, with financial pressure and sporting ambition, will have to weigh carefully before making the final decision. Fans hope Koundé will overcome this difficult period. But modern football waits for no one. Time will tell whether the French defender can rewrite his story at Barcelona. The article is based on deep analysis from Stage-2, combining tactical, financial, public opinion, and risk factors. Main sources: Sport (Catalonia) via Goal.com. Independent confirmation is lacking for claims about sale readiness or player's intent to leave.