Barcelona defender Jules Kounde has been called up to the latest France squad by manager Didier Deschamps for World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Azerbaijan.
The games come at a time when Kounde has been struggling for form, and Deschamps was asked about his recent performances at a press conference after naming his squad.
“I’m not worried, but he’s a player who’s played a lot, a lot, a lot. Like others who have had injuries. When you play every match for one or two seasons, it becomes difficult at some point, or else there’s an injury. Their performances are also linked to the club they play for,” he told reporters.
“Yes, he’s not as brilliant as last year, but I think, without making a judgment, that his team is also performing less well. Regarding his responsibility for the goal against Iceland, yes, but he’s not the only one; there were two other players involved before him.
“He had a somewhat complicated preseason. He’s playing every three or four days with high demands; he doesn’t have time to rest, but I have confidence in his qualities as a player. He’s someone who puts in a lot of extra work; he might have to manage that.”
Kounde is set to feature again for Barcelona before linking up with France. The Catalans are at Celta Vigo on Sunday in their final La Liga match before the international break.
