Koundé has a plan to regain his place after falling down Flick’s pecking order

Jules Koundé has no intention of accepting a permanent place on Barcelona’s bench. According to „Sport”, the French defender plans to fight his way back into Hansi Flick’s preferred line-up by working hard in training and making the most of every opportunity.

It is a perfectly normal response from the player. The curious part is how quickly Barcelona’s description of his status has changed.

In August 2025, Koundé signed a contract running until 30 June 2030. Barcelona’s official announcement described him as an established right-back, a hugely important player for Flick and one of the most reliable defenders in the squad. Just over a year later, the conversation is about winning back his position and the coach’s confidence.

Long-term planning in Barcelona apparently still comes with frequent narrative updates.

ERIC GARCÍA MOVES AHEAD

Koundé started the 2026/27 season behind Eric García at right-back. He played ten minutes in the 5–0 victory over Elche and another ten in the 2–0 win against Athletic Club before receiving his first league start against Rayo Vallecano. Barcelona won that match 5–2, with Koundé completing the full game.

He was called upon earlier against Valencia after Eric suffered a facial injury. Koundé then started the 5–1 Champions League victory over Feyenoord because the Spaniard was suspended following a red card carried over from last season.

That gave the Frenchman a valuable chance, but it did not automatically rewrite Flick’s hierarchy. Eric can return for the next LaLiga fixture, while João Cancelo provides another option. Moving into central defence would not guarantee Koundé regular football either, given the competition already present there.

FLICK HAS NOT PUBLICLY WITHDRAWN HIS TRUST

There is an important distinction between the media narrative and Flick’s own words. The coach has never announced that he no longer trusts Koundé.

Before the Valencia match, Flick called him an “incredible professional” and said he was working extremely hard to rediscover his best form. He also acknowledged that the defender had not begun the season as a regular starter.

Flick sees Koundé as an option at both centre-back and right-back, although he noted that the player prefers the latter role after performing at a very high level there during their first season together. There is no confirmed dispute and no public ultimatum. There is simply a different pecking order.

The plan attributed to Koundé is therefore straightforward: keep working, accept the competition and respond when selected.

FROM CORNERSTONE TO CONTENDER

When Barcelona renewed Koundé’s contract, the club highlighted his run of 86 consecutive appearances, his reliability and the winning goal he scored against Real Madrid in the 2025 Copa del Rey final. He was presented as a central part of the sporting project.

His contract and professionalism have not changed. His place in the starting eleven has.

Koundé is handling the situation as a player should. He has avoided a public complaint and is trying to earn his minutes on the pitch. The sharper criticism belongs elsewhere: Barcelona’s surrounding narrative can turn a cornerstone into a selection problem without requiring much more than a new season and a revised tactical preference.

The deal still runs until 2030. Only the official description has aged rather quickly.