Jules Koundé Back as Barcelona Build Towards Basel

Jules Koundé returned to the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper on Tuesday, becoming the latest of Barcelona’s World Cup contingent to report back as Hansi Flick’s squad steps up preparation for Sunday’s friendly at Basel. The France defender, who finished a day later than his Spanish team-mates after playing in the third-place play-off against England, has rejoined the group and completed his medical checks.

With numbers still thin, Flick again leaned on the academy. As Mundo Deportivo reported, several Barça Atlètic players — among them Xavi Espart, Ebrima Tunkara, Jofre Torrents and Guille Fernández — were called up to complete the session.

Jules Koundé joins a growing group

Koundé follows Gavi, Joan Garcia, Eric Garcia and new signing Anthony Gordon in returning early. That leaves only Pedri, Pau Cubarsí, Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres still to come back — the last of those with his future uncertain after Barcelona rejected PSG’s opening €40m bid. A demanding week awaits, with double sessions pencilled in for Wednesday and Thursday.

The Blaugrana round off their build-up against Basel at St. Jakob-Park on Sunday 16 August (16:30 CEST) — the last chance for Flick to see his returning internationals together before the LaLiga opener at Elche.