The Blues are still on the hunt for new defensive reinforcements but Kounde's and Monchi's words on Chelsea and the transfer snub must be avoided again for other defensive targets

Since signing Kalidou Koulibaly, Chelsea's defense quest has changed again after missing out on signing Jules Kounde to Barcelona.

The Blues recently believed they had out-bid the Catalan-based club for the 23-year-old, but Xavi's influence once again prevailed, further compounding the sorrow of the west Londoners. Kounde's decision to stay in La Liga and choose Barcelona over Chelsea added insult to injury in the early stages of the transfer window caused by Ousmane Dembele and Raphinha.

Chelsea must quickly recover from the Kounde setback, and with links to players like Wesley Fofana, Benjamin Pavard, Denzel Dumfries, and others emerging, new owner Todd Boehly is getting ready to take proactive measures to placate manager Thomas Tuchel, who recently made an urgent appeal for "quality players."

To prevent further suffering with individuals like Fofana, Dumfries, and Pavard, respectively, Boehly and the board must draw lessons from the entire Kounde tale.

There must be no 'doubts' over the defensive trio if Chelsea were to put the initial groundwork in. Something that happened with Barca's latest recruit, if Sevilla director Monchi's words are to be taken at face value.

The third time we would have rejected him would have been now. After Diego Carlos was sold to Aston Villa this summer, the club ultimately decided to let go of its second defensive stalwart. "He's a professional, but you have to consider the person as well," Monchi stated.

"On Thursday night, Chelsea 'bought' Kounde. They started to have second thoughts and left. Barcelona then showed up. Alemany made contact for the first time on Monday.

"We were given a smaller offer than what we were hoping for, but after further discussion with them, we were able to come to terms on a club-record sale. Barcelona's offer beat out Chelsea's second attempt.