3 reasons why Jules Kounde could succeed at Chelsea

#2 Provides aerial prowess that could help Chelsea

Kounde could provide aerial prowess to Chelsea at the back

Despite his slight frame, Jules Kounde ended last season with one of the best records for aerial duels in La Liga, something which Chelsea could use in the team. According to the player himself, that's because opponents always underestimate him. Jules Kounde said in an interview-

I win more head-to-head duels than Sergio Ramos because the opponents don't dare play long on Ramos. They must say to themselves, 'It's Jules Koundé, he's not tall, we're going to take him down in the air. I often feel targeted, I feel it. And sometimes, it is pointed out to me. After games, I am often told that. When I watch my matches again, I realize that I play a lot more aerial duels than the others. They say to themselves that it will be easier against Koundé, and that motivates me.

Kounde won a commendable 64% of his aerial duels last season. Although this rate is lower than that of Chelsea's four front-line defenders, the Frenchman competed in more duels than all of them with the exception of Kurt Zouma, who was the only one to win more aerial duels per match.

Indeed, Jules Kounde won the second-most aerial duel in La Liga last season among Under-23 players and completed the most headed clearances.

Jules Koundé among U23 players in LaLiga in the 2020/21 season:◉ Most possession won in defensive third◉ Most headed clearances◉ Most passes into opp. half◎ Second-most aerial duels won◎ Second-most clearances◎ Third-most interceptionsDominant. 💪 pic.twitter.com/4ejFKWyl9C

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) July 27, 2021

Statistically, La Liga's five most active teams in terms of aerial duels are Osasuna, Eibar, Alaves, Granada and Getafe. Against these teams, Kounde has won 36 out of his 38 attempted aerial duels at a success rate of 53%. All of these teams had strikers who were taller than him. That stat would bode well for Chelsea as the Premier League has some of the most physical and tall strikers in the world.

Chelsea conceded seven goals from set-pieces last season and Jules Kounde could be a solution in that respect too, courtesy of his ability to avert danger in the air.

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#1 Jules Kounde offers excellent ball-playing ability

Jules Kounde can excel in Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea setup

While Jules Kounde exhibits the skills of a 'complete defender', he particularly excels at playing out from the back - a valuable trait in Chelsea's 3-4-3 setup.

Compared to other centre-backs in Europe's 'top 5' leagues, Jules Kounde ranks in the top 10% for progressive passing distance per 90 (432m), short passes completed per 90 (21.1) and pass completion rate for medium passes per 90 (95.8%).

The Frenchman also often likes to stride forward with the ball to break opposition lines. His 1.24 dribbles completed per 90 is in the top 2% for European centre-backs.

Folks, Kounde is legitimately awesome.You should be excited by the links. pic.twitter.com/iHkGPVDyEK

— ExpectedChelsea (@ExpectedChelsea) July 27, 2021

Jules Kounde loves to spring the long ball and he can definitely pull it off, but he does not yet have the required vision to make himself a major threat. He often misses good runs from his teammates, but that's something he can develop at Chelsea under the guidance of Thomas Tuchel.