When Ousmane Dembélé arrived at Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona for €50 million, fan opinions regarding the French winger were divergent.
Dembélé is widely recognised for his exceptional talent and adeptness at executing various feints on the pitch. His trademark move, the fake shot, or “Le crochet“, as we say in French, has earned him the nickname “Crochet Dembélé.”
Unfortunately, the downside of his talent for many years was his recurrent injuries and lack of seriousness in training. How many times did we read that the winger was once again injured or that he made a late appearance to training? His chronic tardiness led to a less friendly nickname within the Barcelona fan community – DembeLate.
The French player seemed unable to learn from his mistakes and was stuck in a vicious circle. However, since Xavi took over the managerial reins at Barcelona, there appears to be a positive shift in Dembélé’s behaviour. The player seems more focused, punctual, and less injury-prone, which shows on the pitch.
Dembélé’s influence transcends statistics
Last season, Dembélé made 35 appearances – his third-best attendance record at the Spanish club – scoring eight times and providing nine assists. Beyond the statistical contributions, picture Dembélé as a musical conductor; although he might not be the one hitting the high notes or taking the spotlight with a solo, his orchestration of runs and movements creates a symphony of danger that resonates throughout a game.
Upon signing with PSG, French fans were still trying to figure out which version of the player they would get. Would it be the successful and relentless winger or the unserious player with a history of lateness and frequent injuries? Fortunately for Parisian fans, during the first half of the season, Dembélé has showcased more highs than lows.
Dembélé is a player whose impact may not always be reflected in statistics but is unmistakably irreplaceable for the team’s unpredictability and danger in any game phase. This season, Dembélé has only scored once and registered six assists in 19 games, but anyone following PSG will tell you that his contribution to the team goes beyond the stats.
From his seamless integration into the team, his excellent chemistry with Achraf Hakimi on the right flank, to his underrated work rate, the 26-year-old winger is on track to become one of PSG’s most valuable assets in the years to come. While he may not be Neymar Jr. or Lionel Messi, Dembélé’s season unfolds as a testament to his distinctive style. Without the iconic stature of PSG’s previous No.10, he’s carving out his mark with flashes of brilliance, hinting at a player with the potential to create his own noteworthy legacy in PSG’s history.
