Report: Chelsea now very close to agreeing deal to sign ‘fantastic’ 23-year-old for next season

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Chelsea are reportedly closing in on a transfer for Sevilla defender Jules Kounde.

Tuttomercatoweb claims a deal between Chelsea and Sevilla for the 23-year-old is close.

It is understood that ongoing talks are over a move in the summer transfer window, so he’d officially become a player at Stamford Bridge next season.

The report mentions a cost of €55million (£46million) plus a €5million (4million) bonus for him.

Chelsea fans are still waiting for some official confirmation or concrete claim that Kounde will become their player. This latest update is a very encouraging sign, though.

Ex-Blues player Frank Leboeuf previously raved about the Sevilla defender’s quality, describing him as “fantastic” and a “warrior”.

The French centre-half is a big hit in Spain with La Liga side Sevilla, which is why he’s been linked for a while now with a big money transfer across to the Premier League.

If he joins, he could be part of a young backline that Thomas Tuchel is assembling at the Bridge.

Chelsea need to rediscover mean defensive streak

As Tuchel prepares to celebrate one year in charge of Chelsea, he must pin a lot of his success down to his brilliant defensive record.

His team’s defence has been formidable for the majority of the last 12 months, and it played a key role in winning last season’s Champions League trophy.

Unfortunately, they’ve moved away from that slightly in recent games by conceding more goals and chances.

Ben Chilwell and Reece James are applauded regularly for being Chelsea’s two attack-minded wing-backs that make the difference going forward, but they are equally as important with their back to goal. It’s been a big drop off at the back since the England wing-backs both sustained injuries.

Thankfully, centre-backs Antonio Rudiger and Thiago Silva continues to impress. The Blues really need to try rediscover their best form in defence, though.

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