‘He feels great’… Hansi Flick speaks about the physical condition of 26-year-old Barcelona defender | OneFootball

This current FC Barcelona team can be best described as a relentless machine that strives for excellence. From the frontline to the defenders, every player knows exactly what to do. That is what makes Barcelona strong, and it is what Hansi Flick demands.

However, it is also true that certain players have had to play more minutes than others this season. Unfortunately, even with all the quality that Barcelona does have, they do not necessarily have suitable alternative options in every position.

That has undeniably hurt Flick’s ability to rotate effectively at times, but it is something that he has had to work with. Moreover, it is also a major reason why a player like Jules Kounde has barely had any rest this season while playing as a right-back.

However, ahead of the upcoming game against Celta Vigo, Hansi Flick spoke about the player’s physical condition in his press conference. As highlighted by Mundo Deportivo, the German coach recently admitted that Kounde is simply unstoppable when it comes to his own drive as an athlete:

“The problem with Koundé is that if we do 30 minutes less in training one day, he goes running in Sitges. Maybe it’s better he runs on the pitch instead. He’s in excellent shape.”

He further spoke about how he remains in contact with the Frenchman and how it allows him to better assess the physical condition of his players:

“I talk with them, and they’re honest about how they feel physically. We also see it in the data. But I need them to be truthful, and Koundé tells me he feels great.”

While it is true that Kounde has not had the privilege of getting to rest a lot this season, his performances have been more or less consistent. Thankfully, he seems to be a player who is not adversely impacted by the packed schedule too severely, and that plays in Flick’s favor.