Jules Kounde’s performance in the World Cup final has been deemed ‘very average at best’ by Get Football News France.
The defender was reportedly on the brink of joining Chelsea this summer.
Kounde was operated in his usual right-back position for the national team, despite looking far more comfortable in a centre-back role.
While it has worked to an extent throughout the tournament, the final looked one game too far for Didier Deschamps’ system.
Argentina seemed to operate Angel di Maria, their only natural winger, on his side, a position he hardly ever plays.
It seemed as if it paid off too. Despite Kounde not being directly involved, the Juventus winger won a penalty after good work on that side.
Kounde average at best
He also quickly added a second goal after a flowing Argentina move, with no defender in sight.
GFFN have claimed that the former Blues target’s selection ended up being a questionable.
They said: “Jules Kounde, 4 – The Barcelona player was made to look very average (at best) by Di María. It is an established fact that as a centre-back, he provides little attacking thrust as a right-back.
“That is accepted by Deschamps, who deploys an asymmetrical back-four. However, when he is bettered by his opponent, as he was against Di María, his selection becomes more questionable.”
Chelsea were reportedly interested in striking a deal for Kounde over the summer, with it claimed that Thomas Tuchel did see a future for him at right-back.
This is despite having Reece James at his disposal, with many holding belief that there is no one better than him in world football when he is fully fit.
The England international will be hoping to be in contention when Chelsea make their return to Premier League football in just over a week’s time.