Flick Drops Kounde as Barcelona’s First-Choice Right-Back

Overview

• Hansi Flick privately told Jules Kounde during pre-season that he is no longer the manager’s first-choice right-back, a change made clear after the Joan Gamper Trophy on Wednesday, August 19.
• Eric Garcia has been designated by Flick as the preferred starter at right-back and publicly acknowledged the coach’s intention for him to occupy that position.
• Kounde is expected to be redeployed more often as a centre-back but he is not guaranteed a starting role there because Pau Cubarsi and Gerard Martin currently lead the pecking order with Andreas Christensen as cover.
• Barcelona have indicated they would consider a sale if a suitable offer arrives before the transfer window closes, leaving Kounde’s long-term future uncertain despite his contract running to 2030 and his stated wish to stay.
• The shift reflects Flick’s reworking of the defence and spotlights how player versatility can reduce a starter’s minutes; key near-term developments to watch are team selection in the first league matches and any offers for Kounde before the September deadline.