Chelsea Set for Early London Derbies in Premier League Kickoff
The new Premier League season promises to be an exciting one for Chelsea as they prepare for several London derbies in the opening weeks. The Blues will start their campaign with a short trip to face local rivals Fulham, followed by matches against Arsenal and Brentford within the first month.
At the helm this season will be Xabi Alonso, freshly appointed as Chelsea’s new manager. Alonso takes over the reins following the dismissal of Liam Rosenior, who lasted just four months in charge after a disappointing spell that saw the team struggle to find form.
As the transfer window heats up, Chelsea may find themselves revisiting a former target who is now available at a reduced price. According to reports from CaughtOffside, Barcelona could be willing to let defender Jules Kounde leave for around £55 million this summer.
The report indicates that Kounde, a player previously coveted by both Chelsea and Liverpool, will be allowed to depart if a suitable offer is made. The French defender joined Barcelona from Sevilla in 2022, and prior to that transfer, he was heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.
Since arriving in Spain, Kounde has established himself as a key figure, making over 180 appearances for Barcelona and contributing to the club’s impressive trophy haul, which includes three La Liga titles among seven honors.
The Frenchman’s contract with Barcelona runs until the end of the 2029/30 season. However, reports suggest that the Catalan club has been evaluating potential moves for players they once considered crucial, including Kounde, while also keeping an eye on interest from clubs like Chelsea and Liverpool.
Despite a slight improvement in Barcelona’s financial situation in recent years, the La Liga giants are still in need of offloading some players to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations, potentially paving the way for Kounde’s exit.
