Jules Kounde says it was an 'easy choice' to join Barcelona over Chelsea

Barcelona defender Jules Kounde has claimed it was an 'easy choice' to join the Spanish giants over Chelsea as he talked up the role of manager Xavi in his £56million move to Camp Nou.

Kounde appeared on the brink of signing for Chelsea before Barca, who held a longstanding interest in the Frenchman, gazumped the Premier League side - much to the frustration of Blues boss Thomas Tuchel.

The 23-year-old was made to wait for his debut for Barca, who struggled to register their new players due to the economic uncertainty at the club and issues surrounding LaLiga's salary cap.

Kounde, whose competitive debut came in the 4-0 victory over Real Valladolid on August 28, said Xavi was influential in his decision to join Barca.

'Barca is still a club able to attract anyone, and the manager was very important too,' he said.

'He gave me a lot of confidence and I liked his way of approaching football.

'It was an easy choice for me because he gave me all that I was looking for.'

Kounde - who featured for Barca for the second time in the 3-0 win over former club Sevilla on Saturday, registering two assists - was one of seven summer signings made by the Spanish side in the summer window.

Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Marcos Alonso are among the others to have joined the club.

Kounde was speaking ahead of the opening game of Barcelona's Champions League campaign at home to Czech side Viktoria Plzen on Wednesday.