Lopetegui expects Koundé to play key role for Sevilla after Chelsea transfer failure

It’s not often that Chelsea fail to acquire a priority transfer target, but after a lengthy pursuit this summer, we did have to admit defeat in the case of Jules Koundé, after being unable to agree a transfer fee with Sevilla.

It certainly wasn’t for a lack of trying, from either club or player, with Koundé himself pushing for the move in the final weekend by excusing himself from the team. His head may not have been in London already, but it certainly wasn’t in Seville.

But, what’s done is done, and Sevilla certainly will be expecting full commitment from the 22-year-old center back once he’s done with international duty (which isn’t going too well for him just yet).

“Koundé in the end has stayed because the club has decided that it was the right thing to do based on the evaluation of the offers they may have had.

“For me, as a coach, that Jules stays is positive. With the evolution he has had in these two years, it is positive, without any doubt. We trust that he’ll continue to grow with us and, above all, perform, which is the most important thing.”

-Julen Lopetegui; source: Diario de Sevilla via Metro

If Koundé needs any extra motivation to keep performing well, we might be back for him next summer!