An ultimatum that FC Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has issued to a previously “untouchable” star has divided the Montjuic locker room according to El Nacional, which cited anonymous sources.
Jules Kounde was widely expected to start Monday’s La Liga meeting with Rayo Vallecano, which came after eight days rest for the Catalans between an impressive 4-1 win over his former club Sevilla.
An hour before kick off, however, the publishing of the starting line up showed that the Frenchman had been axed in favor of La Masia graduate Hector Fort.
Briefly, Flick explained that the topic was an internal matter and didn’t want to elaborate any further.
Well-connected journalists such as Cope’s Helena Condis reported that the decision had been taken because of Kounde being late, however, which Flick then confirmed himself following the 1-0 victory which finally returned Barca to the top of the league at bitter rival Real Madrid’s expense.
“Before the game we have two or three meetings. It is very important that the players are there, and it is not difficult to arrive on time. It’s about respect for your colleagues. Kounde arrived late, and it is a clear rule of the house. It can’t happen and it happened today,” Flick revealed.
While Barca now focuses on its next domestic assignment which is an away trip to Las Palmas on Saturday, El Nacional reveals that Flick issued an ultimatum to Kounde, who was also late in October and therefore dropped from a 3-0 win over Alaves.
In short, committing the same error a third time will mean that the 2022 World Cup finalist indefinitely loses his spot in the starting XI, and most likely to Fort as things stand.
The Catalan newspaper said that Flick’s decision has split the locker room, as while some players believe the same rules must be abided by everyone, others think Flick is being too harsh on Kounde with a punishment that is “excessive”.
Kounde is also said to be unhappy with the situation, but he knows “that he has to change his attitude if he wants to continue being a key player for Barca”.
At the weekend, we’ll see whether it is Kounde or Fort that gets the nod at Las Palmas.
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