Last summer, Ousmane Dembele completed his dream transfer to Barcelona as the young Frenchman completed one of the biggest transfers in history.
After sparkling in the Bundesliga last season, Ousmane Dembele became one of the hottest properties in world football. The 20-year old French star has quickly gone from teenage prodigy to a crucial first team member for Borussia Dortmund.
After just one year with the German giants, Dembele broke his way into the French national squad. The two footed youngster seems destined for great things, as he has now entered Didier Deschamps’ plans for next year’s World Cup.
But an injury early in the season, coupled with Philippe Coutinho’s move to Barcelona earlier this month has taken the shine off the Frenchman. So will Barcelona’s two new signings fit in at the Nou Camp?
First, we need to understand that both players would be expected to fill in the ‘Neymar sized’ hole that exists at the Nou Camp right now. So what was Neymar’s role for Barcelona?
It is a known fact that Neymar was essentially Messi’s wing man at the Nou Camp. In spite of not being a natural wide man, the Brazilian had to literally hug the touchline, in order to create space for Messi in the middle.
Coutinho is a midfield maestro, who would be much more of an influence through the middle, rather than out wide. Actually, Coutinho would be able to replace Andres Iniesta far more effectively than Neymar, which is why Dembele, a wide man himself, should be a much better fit for Barcelona.
But the spotlight is firmly on Coutinho for now, as Dembele faces the unenviable task of breaking into this superb Barcelona side just a few months away from the World Cup.
Dembele is reportedly upset with both Messi and Suarez, as he does not appreciate the love that Coutinho has already received from his new team mates.
The Frenchman feels slighted by the superstar pair, as they have already indicated that to the coach that they want Coutinho in the side in place of Dembele.
Former Barcelona star, Eric Abidal is also worried for his compatriot at his old club.
“Signing Coutinho means someone will have to be on the bench, that’s why I say that it is good to sign great players but it depends on the vision of the club.”
