Barcelona’s preparations for the 2025/26 season are already under way, with Hansi Flick looking to further cement his stamp on the team ahead of next season.
The German tactician is expected to oversee a critical summer at the Catalan club, with reinforcements and tactical tweaks planned across the board.
As work continues on the new-look Spotify Camp Nou, set to reopen next season, the club’s fitness staff have drawn up individual recovery schedules to ensure all players are in peak condition come August.
Barca’s upcoming pre-season tour will be key to testing Flick’s early ideas, but it could be a quieter off-season for some players than initially expected.
One man who won’t be joining his national team for summer duty is Jules Kounde, as per Barca Universal.
The Barcelona defender has been ruled out of France’s UEFA Nations League semi-final clash with Spain after failing to recover from a hamstring injury.
Jules Kounde sustained the issue during the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan and has not yet returned to full training.
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Didier Deschamps omitted the 25-year-old from his 25-man squad for the tournament, marking a rare absence for a player who has been a reliable fixture in recent French squads.
For Barcelona, however, there’s a small consolation in what is otherwise disappointing news.
Kounde will now benefit from an extended rest period, allowing him to focus on a full recovery and report back to training fresh and injury-free ahead of the new season.
The Frenchman remains a central figure in Flick’s plans, especially with the club aiming to mount a serious challenge for both domestic and European titles next season.
His absence from international duty ensures that he avoids further aggravation to the injury and can be closely monitored by Barca’s medical team.
Meanwhile, fellow Barcelona player Clement Lenglet has been named in Deschamps’ squad after an impressive loan spell with Atletico Madrid.
While his long-term future at Camp Nou remains uncertain, Atletico are reportedly interested in making his move permanent.
Lenglet’s inclusion could also offer him an opportunity to reclaim a place in the national team setup.
As for France, their hopes will rest on the attacking prowess of Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele, with Kounde’s absence leaving a noticeable void in defence.
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