Barcelona are beginning to grow uneasy as two of their key defenders, Alejandro Balde and Jules Kounde, continue to struggle for consistency this season. Their performances have dipped when placed side by side with the standards they set in the previous campaign, and the club is looking closely at the reasons behind this worrying change.
In the case of Jules Kounde, Barcelona staff have noticed a clear drop in confidence and conviction. Last season, he played with assurance, precision, and calmness. This year, however, his game has carried signs of hesitation that were not present before. The club is still searching for an explanation, since his physical condition is good and he has not suffered any major setbacks that could directly affect his form.
Coaches and analysts within the team are reviewing game footage to understand when the decline started. They believe it may not be tied to a single error but rather a slow build-up of small moments that have affected him mentally. Kounde’s positional play, which used to be one of his strongest qualities, has also shown inconsistencies that raise further questions.
Barcelona know that Kounde’s best version is essential for their defensive stability. When he is confident, he brings balance, control, and leadership to the back line. The club is now working closely with him to rebuild that mindset and bring him back to the level he showed previously. They understand how important it is to restore his rhythm before the season progresses much further.
Alejandro Balde is dealing with a different challenge. Barcelona believe his dip in form is partly connected to the lack of genuine competition for the left-back position. The current alternatives, Gerard Martín and Jofre Torrents, have not offered the kind of pressure that forces Balde to stay at his sharpest. Because of this, the young defender may have become too comfortable with his starting spot.
Inside the club, several staff members feel that Balde performs better when he has someone consistently pushing him. Last season, the internal battle for positions helped him maintain focus and hunger. This season, that edge appears to have softened, and it reflects in some of his recent displays. Barcelona want him to recover the intensity that made him one of the brightest young full-backs in Europe.
The coaching staff is now encouraging Balde to take more responsibility, both defensively and offensively. They believe his progress has not stopped, but he needs to regain the competitive spark that kept him motivated and disciplined. The team knows that a strong and confident Balde changes the pace of the entire flank, something they cannot afford to lose.
Barcelona also recognize that the overall defensive structure of the team has been unstable this season, which may be affecting both players. When the system is shaky, individual performances often suffer. The club hopes that with better organization and clearer roles, Balde and Kounde will be able to return to their top level.
For now, Barcelona remain patient but alert. They are monitoring the situation closely and trusting that both players, who have shown their quality in the past, will bounce back with the right guidance. The club believes the potential is still there, and they want to ensure nothing stands in the way of their return to peak performance.
According to reports from Mundo Deportivo, these concerns are not meant to be alarming, but rather a reminder that Barcelona need every player operating at their highest level if they want to compete properly this season. The upcoming matches will provide an opportunity to see whether Balde and Kounde can rise again and silence the doubts around their form.