It is no secret that Jules Kounde is the epitome of fitness at Barcelona.
Apart from being a sensational defender and a versatile option at the back for the manager, his high level of dedication towards his fitness minimises the risk of injury and the player is now close to hitting a special milestone.
As a regular for both Barcelona and France, the full-back is slowly growing into one of the best in the world in his position. He barely ever misses a game and MARCA reveals that he is now close to hitting one year without complete rest.
A regular name
As relayed by the Spanish outlet, the last time Kounde did not feature at any point in the 90 minutes for either Barcelona or France was on November 25th last year, just under 365 days ago.
If he plays against Celta Vigo in any capacity, which he undoubtedly will, he will go an entire year without sitting 90 minutes on the bench. At a time when the schedule is growing gruelling, it is a momentous achievement.
Since the game against Rayo Vallecano last November, Kounde participated in six UEFA Champions League games, 24 La Liga matches, thrice in the Copa del Rey and twice in the Spanish Super Cup last season.
Notably, he did not even rest in Barcelona’s games in the cup against Unionistas or Barbastro.
In the European Championship for France, he started all of France’s games until their eventual elimination and interestingly even started all friendlies for the team between March and June.
This year, he has featured in all 13 of Barcelona’s La Liga games and has started 11 of those matches. He has also started all four of the team’s Champions League clashes this term.
Kounde’s consistency not only highlights his fitness standards but also his style of defending as he has not been suspended to miss any game either. His importance for the Catalans, needless to say, will only grow.
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