A long transfer saga saw the former Sevilla star join Barca amid interest from the Blues.
Jules Kounde has admitted joining Barcelona was an ‘easy choice’ despite links with other clubs.
The French defender was close to completing a move to Chelsea when Barca hijacked the move last month.
The Catalans managed to sign Kounde on a €60m deal, completing their defensive recruitment in a busy transfer window.
“Barca is still a club able to attract anyone, and the manager was very important too,” Kounde told reporters.
“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.”
Xavi has so far used Kounde at the right-hand side of his team’s defensive line. However, the Frenchman admits he is more comfortable at his natural position as a centre-back.
He added: “The position does not make me uncomfortable, but everyone knows my position is at centre-back and I prefer centre-back. But if the manager needs me there then I don’t have a problem.”
Barcelona went on to sign Hector Bellerin on the transfer deadline day. The Spaniard’s arrival will most likely enable Xavi to use Kounde at the heart of Barca’s backline.
The Catalans will start their Champions League campaign with a match against Viktoria Plzen on Wednesday.
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