"Sport" reported that Kounde has been relegated to a secondary role within the team and must prove himself through his performances to regain his core position.

After Kounde arrived at Camp Nou, his sporting situation underwent an unprecedented change. Whether under Xavi or during Flick's initial tenure, the French international was an undisputed starter; but with the start of the 2026-27 season, he has been relegated to a secondary role within the team, a situation he has never faced before. He must compete from the bench to reclaim his core position.

The plan devised by the German coach after last season already signaled this shift in his status within the team. The coaching staff's plan is for Eric Garcia to fully assume the heavy responsibility on the right flank. Last season, the Catalan player frequently acted as a firefighter, moving between center-back, full-back, and even defensive midfielder. Flick believes he is the ideal candidate to solidify the right flank and form a fluid partnership with Lamine Yamal on that side.

A stable center-back pairing could have allowed Kounde to return to the center-back line, his most comfortable position, and he had hoped to play there during his first few months after joining the team. However, competition for the center-back position is now very limited. The pairing of Cubarsi and Gerard Martin has secured a stable starting role for the new season and is the first-choice option for the starting lineup. In addition, Christensen's strong preseason performances have fully earned the trust of the coaching staff.

The new team structure has already become apparent in the early stages of official matches. In the first two La Liga rounds, the French defender has had limited playing time, far from his usual amount. His performances last season declined compared with Flick's first year as coach, and now Kounde must deliver highly convincing performances in daily training to reverse his situation within the team.

Meanwhile, the player's contract situation and future destination have also been included in Barcelona's summer transfer window considerations. The Blaugrana club is open-minded: if the offer is good enough, a major transfer is not ruled out. However, with only a few days left until the transfer window closes, Kounde remains in the squad. The transfer window has not yet closed, and the full season has just begun. Kounde's current challenge is to prove himself in training, change the coach's opinion of him, and regain his voice on the sporting front.

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