13 Aug 2020 11:57:31
Hi folks, I was wondering if any of the ED's could shed some light on Ousmane Dembele as a player and person? Also wondering if there's any truth in Dembele's injuries being a result of training/ a poor medical department in Barca? Thank you.

{Ed002's Note - There have been some off field issues but it is expected that most have gone as he has got older. It has not been helped by Barcelona making any minor infractions public. At Dortmund he did not have injury issues.}


1.) 13 Aug 2020
13 Aug 2020 12:50:23
Slunky

On 11th June on here I suggested Ousmane Dembele as an option, only to be pilloried. Looked a talented player when I saw him play and if there are no off field issues plus a reasonable price, he could be an option, Ed002 said his time at Barcelona was up. I await the usual pile on.


2.) 13 Aug 2020
13 Aug 2020 13:24:38
He was ace before Barca.


3.) 13 Aug 2020
13 Aug 2020 13:28:11
Redman, I've said the same.
2 issues
1 he had had a based time with injuries
2 he has played relatively little or no football for 2 or 3 seasons.
Ideally a loan with an opt-in to buy at a fixed price if he proves himself.
Top player when at BD. Personally i'd say he was better than sancho when at BD in terms of his all round game.
Whoever Salford snaffles him up will get a really good player.


4.) 13 Aug 2020
13 Aug 2020 13:29:24
Red Man, I was a big fan of Dembele when he was playing at Dortmund.
Since the move to Barca, there has been serious questions about his professionalism.
He stays up all night playing online games and reports late to training, missing team bus etc, .

If his attitude is sorted, there is some serious talent in him.
Another issue has been his injury woes.

All in all, it would seem a risky move.


5.) 13 Aug 2020
13 Aug 2020 13:44:36
Thanks very much Ed! Redman, The problem with some of the fans on this page is they assume that because a player hasn't worked out at another team, they're not good enough to play for our team. A player might not work in a system for a variety of reasons. There are plenty of players from Man Utd who have recently been deemed "Deadwood", who have left and done well at other clubs. Dembele is very talented and could potentially do well here. I think Sancho is overhyped and I'd much prefer Dembele for the money.


6.) 13 Aug 2020
13 Aug 2020 14:36:51
While Dembele didn't suffer with injuries before he joined Barcelona he was still only 19 when he joined Barcelona. He turned 23 this year and has struggled with injuries for two whole seasons.

His off field antics certainly doesn't help.

That said if he has grown up and if he can stay fit then he is a hell of a player.

He certainly wouldn't be my first choice, but maybe a deal that is a loan with an option to buy at the end might be something to explore if the Sancho deal is dead in the water.

I'm in two minds about where Greenwood will play eventually, bringing in a top class player who if it doesn't work out won't be difficult to shift or block Greenwood might be a good alternative.

However, that would depend on him being able to prove both his fitness and that his indiscretions are behind him.


7.) 13 Aug 2020
13 Aug 2020 14:37:53
Good points. Many people were surprised to see City and Liverpool move for Chelsea ‘flops’ de Bruyn and Sallah respectively but they worked out ok I think.


8.) 13 Aug 2020
13 Aug 2020 14:50:17
He is a very good player. Injuries would worry me more as if he came, you'd want him to play.

With relation to his off field personality, he is still miles ahead of grealish there, who the club were seriously looking at. And hopefully, as Ed says, it's behind him.

Could be an interesting option.


9.) 13 Aug 2020
13 Aug 2020 15:06:05
Dembele or no one? Dembele without a doubt. If he can stay injury free he is a quality player.


10.) 13 Aug 2020
13 Aug 2020 16:01:52
Spenno, I'd say it would be harsh to call Dembele a flop at Barcelona. He has been good or excellent when he has played for them. Sadly he just hasn't been able to play often enough to be relied on. Barcelona in part due to Messi's massive wages tend to have a smaller squad and rely more on their young players coming through. So for them to have a player who cost so much and who is on huge wages to hardly ever be fit is a big problem.

As a side note I think Barcelona are in a bit of a state at the moment, their best players are 29 or older, and the younger ones either are aren't ready or aren't good enough. They need a few big signings which will be difficult without offloading Messi. They seem stuck with Coutinho and Dembele which might give us an angle to get a decent deal.

While I also wouldn't call Salah or KdB flops at Chelsea, they weren't even given a chance.


11.) 13 Aug 2020
13 Aug 2020 16:11:03
A no ta for Dembele from me.


12.) 13 Aug 2020
13 Aug 2020 17:11:22
You'd rather go into new season with Douglas Costa or Dembele WRD?


13.) 13 Aug 2020
13 Aug 2020 19:58:02
With wolves having no European football next season how about testing their resolve re traore? A right sided attacker and cheaper than sancho.


14.) 13 Aug 2020
13 Aug 2020 20:27:11
Allan, I don't think Traore would cost much less than 80m. Wolves have no need to sell, are in a strong position and are looking to build.

While I rate Traore he is a little one dimensional, he doesn't come inside and mix up his game. It's all about blazing past with pace and power. He is top class at it, but his lack of end product suggests his brain doesn't move as fast as his legs.

We could sign Ismailia Sarr, who is a very similar player but is maybe a year behind Traore in his development, for around 30-40m max.


15.) 14 Aug 2020
14 Aug 2020 06:42:36
Since Dembele pulled his hamstring against Getafe back in 2017 he has struggled to fully recover and now it seems it is a recurring injury. Phil Jones is already our injured player in residence, we don't need another.