Chelsea have discovered their new Diego Costa signing in the most unlikely of places

  Over the summer transfer window, the desire to sign Jules Kounde was one that slightly baffled me given the strength of Thomas Tuchel'...

 

Over the summer transfer window, the desire to sign Jules Kounde was one that slightly baffled me given the strength of Thomas Tuchel's defensive options after the Champions League win, the chance to promote Trevoh Chalobah after an impressive pre-season and the priority to sign in other areas.

Kounde of course did not join Chelsea in the summer and few could argue that failed deal on deadline day has seriously hurt Tuchel since. A bit like in recent seasons it is in central midfield and a lack of ruthless finishing in the final third that has been of greater concern to supporters.

But shockingly Kounde did something on Tuesday evening that instantly endeared him to the Chelsea faithful that makes any future deal look more enticing. The 23-year-old centre back was shown a straight red card for throwing the ball into Jordi Alba's face in Sevilla's hotly contested clash at home to Barcelona in La Liga.

Kounde's extreme reaction was clearly the result of the build-up of confrontation throughout the game, with Alba needlessly barging Kounde as the French defender attempted to take a quick throw-in.

This sort of behaviour of course nearly cost his team dearly, being reduced to 10 men in a game of significance for Sevilla might have led to defeat, but the scoreline of 1-1 when Kounde exited was the same at the final whistle.

But this level of confrontation is something Chelsea supporters have come to love in figures like Diego Costa, with a usually high xF (Expected Fight) each weekend in the Premier League. Most recently Antonio Rudiger has taken up Diego's mantle to even more affection from the Stamford Bridge faithful, usually in the centre of some dramatic argument most games so far this season.

Kounde quite clearly is still showing signs of immaturity, being provoked by Alba so easily but also having his action spotted by the referee with no option but a straight red. Signing for Chelsea, like we have been told the player wanted in the summer, would allow Kounde to master this aggression under the wing of Rudiger in more subtle ways which will not instantly lead to a dismissal.

Kounde's technical ability as a young defender is undeniable, but proof of more combative and confrontational mannerisms feel suited to Chelsea, who at times are a scrappy team. After this incident my mind is made up, sign him up Marina Granovskaia!