Barcelona defender Jules Kounde has revealed his reasoning to join the Spanish side over Chelsea this summer.
The 23-year-old appeared on the brink of signing for the Blues from Sevilla before Barca, who held a longstanding interest in the Frenchman, gazumped the Premier League side in a £56million deal.
Kounde says it was manager Xavi who sold him on the move to the LaLiga side, having also spoken to former Blues boss Thomas Tuchel.
Speaking to French outlet L’Equipe, the defender said: ‘First, I come to a huge club, which has known good times and which, lately, has had less.
‘I come to a project that I would not call reconstruction, because we already have a competitive team, but rather, being upturned.
‘I was interested in being part of this new wave, in search of titles, and to put Barça back where it has always been, among the best clubs.
‘Then there was the conversation with the coach. We talked about football, mainly. I felt a real confidence from him, that he had a real knowledge of myself, my game and my qualities.’
‘I spoke with Tuchel and I also felt that he wanted me to come but I simply preferred Xavi’s speech’, he added.
Sine missing the opening two games of the season due to Barca’s financial restrictions, Kounde has been a regular in the team.
Xavi’s side currently sit second in LaLiga despite their unbeaten start, two points behind leaders Real Madrid following their win in the Madrid derby on Sunday.
