Hansi Flick could use full-back in his natural position following injury chaos at Barcelona

Barcelona are currently facing a difficult situation regarding their defence. Not long ago, the centre-back position seemed overloaded with talents, but now things have changed. 

Due to injuries and player exits, the team find itself with limited options at the back. However, this situation, while troubling for Barcelona, could work in favour of a certain Jules Kounde. 

The French defender has always preferred playing as a central defender, and now he may get more opportunities in his preferred position due to the current circumstances.

Player exits and unavailability

Firstly, Ronald Araujo is not expected to return from injury until December, which is a significant setback for the team. Adding to their problems, Andreas Christensen has also picked up an injury. 

The Danish defender has been struggling with an Achilles tendon issue since last season, and he missed Barcelona’s final training session before their upcoming match against Athletic Bilbao. 

Jules Kounde could play as a centre-back in upcoming matches. (Photo by JOSE JORDAN/AFP via Getty Images)

He is now expected to be out for about two months while he undergoes treatment to address this long-standing problem.

On top of the injury concerns, Barcelona have also seen a reduction in their defensive ranks due to player departures. Both Clement Lenglet and Mikayil Faye have left the club, and there is a possibility that Eric Garcia might join Girona. 

This leaves Barcelona with only three active centre-backs available for selection.

Although Inigo Martinez and Pau Cubarsi are still options, Martinez’s history with injuries raises concerns. This situation could force manager Hansi Flick to rethink his defensive strategy, potentially opting for Kounde as a central figure in the backline.

However, moving Kounde to centre-back raises another issue: the right-back position. With speculation about potential exits, players like Alex Valle and Hector Fort are eager for their opportunity to step in. 

Additionally, Marc Pubill is also in discussions with Barcelona, suggesting that the club is actively seeking solutions to strengthen their defensive options.