Guillem Balagué says Barcelona winger and surprise Tottenham Hotspur transfer target, Ousmane Dembele, has the potential to become ‘world-class’.
The Spanish football expert spoke about how Dembele can do ‘great things’, and then ‘no-so-great things’ in equal measures, as he thrives under Xavi Hernandez at the Nou Camp.
Over the weekend, he scored the only goal of the game as Barcelona extended their lead at the top of La Liga by beating Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid.
It was only 12 months ago that there was this big talking point about Dembele’s future at Barcelona, how his contract was running out, with Premier League teams interested and the possibility that he could leave for nothing.
Well, Xavi replacing Ronald Koeman certainly turn the tide in favour of Dembele and the 25-year-old hasn’t looked back since.
Whilst Barcelona dropped out of the Champions League and into a Europa League play-off this season, someone like Dembele is worthy of playing on the biggest domestic stage of them all, as Balague lauded the player’s talents, as he told ITV Sport.
“Xavi insisted he wanted him because he can do great things and not-so-great things, sometimes in the same game,” said Balague.
“But he certainly has the potential to be a match-winner. You don’t get many match-winners around in football, certainly when you don’t have the money to actually get them.
“Dembele has got the ability to shoot from both feet and from outside of the box. He actually makes good runs.
“Five goals for Barcelona? Well, this is the second-best goalscorer for Barcelona (this season). 13 for Lewandowski. If he gives us double figures, then we will start saying ‘world-class’. It’s normal that we demand more from him.”
TOTTENHAM’S SURPRISE INTEREST IN DEMBELE
Ousmane Dembele suffered World Cup final heartache last month when his France side were beaten by Argentina on football’s biggest stage.
It was an unforgettable game for the winger, who was hooked off early by Didier Deschamps, before one of the greatest games ensued in Qatar.
After the game, surprise transfer rumours emerged that Tottenham want the Barcelona winger, whose release clause drops in 2023.
Antonio Conte needs next level signings in order to deliver trophies at Hotspur Way, but this one surely would be a surprise if it were to happen.
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