Hansi Flick's strictness and commitment to punctuality has led to Jules Kounde being punished multiple times this season.
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Flick has introduced strict rulesWants Barca players to be punctualDropped Kounde multiple times from the XI for being lateFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Jules Kounde has been facing Hansi Flick's wrath this season as the German manager has brought a huge shift at Barcelona. Flick is extremely committed to punctuality and wants his players to be on time, whether it be for the training sessions or team meetings.
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Kounde has, however, violated Flick's disciplinary rules multiples times this season. The former Bayern boss wants his players to be on time, but Kounde's punctuality, or lack thereof, has become a talking point off the pitch for the Catalans.
According to AS, Kounde was late to one of the pre-season fixtures by four minutes and was subsequently dropped from the starting lineup. Then, the French defender was late by two minutes for a game against Alaves back in October.
WHAT HANSI FLICK SAID
Kounde was dropped for the second time this season when he was left on the bench against Espanyol at the start of this month. “When I say 13"30 hours, it is neither 13:29 hours nor 13:31 hours,” Flick told Kounde, according to a claim by AS (h/t Barca Blaugranes).
AFPWHAT NEXT FOR JULES KOUNDE?
The Barcelona right-back recently claimed that he has lost the joy of playing football. "I would be lying to you if I told you that I love football as much as before," Kounde said while on international duty with France. "Before it was my career, now it is my job. When I started, my life off the pitch was secondary."
The France international has often made the headlines for his fashion choices off the field. He featured in the team's 3-1 win over Italy in the UEFA Nations League this past week and will now be expected to start for Barca in their next game on Saturday, November 23, when they play Celta Vigo in LaLiga.