In the forthcoming Champions League quarter-final clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona on Wednesday, while much attention will be on Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, the former Barcelona player, is also anticipated to play a significant role for the French side against his old team.
Mbappe, who is speculated to join Real Madrid next season, has scored 39 goals for PSG this season compared to Dembele’s solitary goal. Despite this disparity, Dembele, dubbed as a “tearaway” by newspaper Le Parisien, brings a unique skill set that Barcelona is well aware of, given his prowess with the ball at his feet.
Returning to France last August after six seasons in Catalonia, Dembele’s transfer to PSG for a reported 50 million euros ($54.3m) reflected his release clause at financially troubled Barcelona.
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Dembele’s move to PSG reunited him with Luis Enrique, who had previously shown interest in signing him during Dembele’s breakout at Rennes.
Reflecting on his time at Barcelona, particularly under Xavi Hernandez’s management, Dembele expressed that leaving wasn’t an easy decision despite flourishing. However, his desire to join PSG was influenced more by Paris than merely leaving Barcelona.
Interestingly, fate has aligned for Dembele to face Barcelona in this season’s Champions League quarter-finals, reminiscent of his previous encounter with the club in 2021, where Mbappe’s hat-trick stole the show.
Dembele’s journey at Barcelona, marked by a hefty transfer fee and significant expectations, contrasts with his current performance at PSG. While he hasn’t replicated his goal-scoring rate from his Barcelona days, he has been a prolific assist provider, often operating from the right flank.
With Mbappe’s impending departure, Dembele might be expected to contribute more goals next season. Nevertheless, his recent performances in central attacking roles have been promising, prompting optimism from figures like Luis Enrique about his future development.
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