Chelsea dealt transfer blow with key target set for surgery in France on long-term injury

Chelsea’s widely-reported interest in French defender Jules Koundé has been landed a huge blow, with the defender set to undergo surgery in Bordeaux.

The 23-year-old defender started France’s Nations League game against Croatia but lasted only 45 minutes before being withdrawn.

His absence for the second half prompted questions from the press, who are aware that Chelsea have been trying to negotiate a deal for the defender and any injury could complicate the move.

But French manager Didier Deschamps revealed Kounde has been suffering from long-term problems and had decided to have an operation, which would give him the best chance of starting next season with a clean bill of health.

What Didier Deschamps said about Jules Kounde’s surgery

Deschamps took time to reveal that the defender had been carrying an injury for most of the season and had scheduled operation to correct it.

The French manager said: “I knew very well his physical condition today.

“Tomorrow he will have a [surgical] intervention because he has a problem that has been going on for several months.

“In principle, if everything goes according to plan, he should be available for the start of the season.”

Chelsea have lost Antonio Ruidger to Real Madrid and have released Andreas Christensen with the defender reportedly closing in on a deal with Barcelona.

So there is strong interest from the Stamford Bridge club who are starting a new chapter under Todd Boehly and his consortium following the sale from Roman Abramovich.