Chelsea are targeting defensive reinforcements in the summer transfer window following the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.
The Blues are expected to have a busy summer transfer window with plenty of incoming and outgoing transfers as the club begin a new era under Todd Boehly's ownership. Thomas Tuchel will be hoping to add to his defensive options with Sevilla defender Jules Kounde heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge ahead of next season.
Following Rudiger's departure to Real Madrid and Christensen rumoured to join Barcelona, Chelsea are looking to the Spanish top-flight to find reinforcements with Villarreal's Pau Torres also linked with a move to the Premier League. With the futures of Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta still in doubt, there will be a clear focus on defensive recruitments at Stamford Bridge ahead of next season.
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Kounde was a linked with a transfer to Chelsea last summer and the Blues have reignited their interest this summer as Tuchel looks to strengthen his squad ahead of next season. A key stat shows why Chelsea are after the France international ahead of Spurs transfer target Pau Torres.
Kounde made a total of 812 forward passes in La Liga last season, the second-most out of any centre-back in the division. The French defender pipped Torres by seven passes, highlighting Kounde's attempts to start attacking moves and play out of defence.
Only Leandro Cabrera had more forward passes as a centre-back in La Liga (941) and this key statistic will no doubt have been considered by Chelsea scouts and Tuchel when looking at Kounde as a transfer target, matching the German manager's tactical play style. Sevilla are in need of money this summer and reportedly are willing to sell the France international despite already losing Diego Carlos to Aston Villa.
