The Spanish newspaper "Sport" reported that FC Barcelona is still waiting for French defender Jules Koundé to return to his best form this season, following a decline in performance compared to previous seasons, where he was one of the key elements in coach Hans Flick's plans due to his ability to advance on the right flank and contribute effectively in both offensive and defensive aspects.

The newspaper clarified that Koundé, who shone last season by scoring four goals and providing eight assists, has not shown the same rhythm this year, as he has suffered from muscular issues in his leg that have affected his performance, which was evident during the El Clásico match against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu, where Vinícius Júnior outperformed him and he did not receive adequate support in defense following the departure of Iñigo Martínez.

The newspaper added that the player was also not at his level during the Girona match before the El Clásico, as he appeared lacking confidence and showed a noticeable physical decline. Statistics indicate a significant drop in his numbers, as his average touches on the ball in the league decreased from 79 to 65.9 touches per match, while the number of his accurate passes fell from 50 to 43.6, in addition to a decline in his defensive recovery rate from 3.3 to 2.3 per match.

The report confirmed that these numbers explain Koundé's current decline in performance, even though his fourth season with Barcelona was expected to be a significant turning point after renewing his contract until 2030. The newspaper also noted that the player started the season on the bench in the first two matches against Mallorca and Levante in favor of Eric García, which was seen as an early indicator of his declining status in the starting lineup.