The strained relationship between Ousmanè Dembele, his agent, and the Barcelona board took a new but disastrous turn after the director of the Catalan club publicly announced that the club had informed the French star and his agent of their intention to sell him off this January transfer window in order to prevent him from leaving for free in the summer.
Many big clubs in Europe have been credited with an interest in the World Cup champion but this article only intends to evaluate what he brings to Chelsea football club of England.
In recent weeks, Chelsea have often struggled to create enough clear-cut chances especially in the premier league. Much of this problem is in relation to how slowly they (Chelsea) have transitioned from one flank to another.
In games against Brighton and Hove Albion (Home and away games), Everton, and Wolves, Chelsea had more possession than their opponents but struggled to create enough clear-cut chances resulting to points dropped when a win would have been a real boost to their title aspirations.
Now to the main actor, Ousmanè Dembele.
The fleet-footed attacker has spent more time on the treatment table than on the pitch of play for the past few seasons but his class has often showed in flashes when fully fit. The former Dortmund attacker worked wonders with Chelsea’s present coach, Thomas Tuchel during their time in Germany and that forced Barça’s hand to splash over €100 million.
As inconsistent as Dembele could be, one thing the team that signs him sure stands to gain is a player of immense potential.
What does Chelsea Stand To Gain?
The addition of Dembele to this present Chelsea side would be a true statement of intent.
In recent seasons, since the departure of Eden Harzard, Chelsea has lacked the threat they once possessed with tricky and pacy wingers.
Dembele is sure to add enough trickery, pace and numbers (Goals and Assist) to the Chelsea forward line that currently boasts of Lukaku, Pulisic, Ziyech and the likes.
Dembele is a very direct winger and one blessed with the ability to use both feet (ambipedal) and as such a very tricky customer to any defender.
Barring his injury crises, there are very few wingers as good as the World Cup winner and his class is in no doubt.
Dembele would add a much needed bite to the flanks of the blues and his ability to be daring and direct could be the key to unlocking Lukaku as his pace and unselfish style of play is certain to benefit the big Belgian and that would be good news to Tuchel and all Chelsea faithfuls.
With the tweak of formation in recent weeks by Thomas Tuchel, switching from a back three (3-4-2-1) to a flat back four (4-4-2), Dembele would certainly function effectively in either formations.
In the 3-4-2-1, Dembele would certainly play as one of two inverted wingers/10s and he would be tasked with coming infield and creating space for the wing-backs which would more often than not give him the chance to be closer to Lukaku and the opponent’s goal. That would be hell for opposing defenders as it would afford him the chance to take up positions on the half turn. With the blistering pace of the Frenchman, every defender would be terrified at the sight of him running at them.
In the 4-4-2 system, Dembele would almost certainly play as one of the wide midfielders and his ability to play on either the left or right would mean an added option to coach Thomas Tuchel.
Playing as one of the wide midfielders would afford him the chance to go up against opponents’ full backs on one-v-one and that is his forte.
More often than not has Dembele left defenders for dead when isolated one-v-one. His crosses have also proved to be dangerous as witnessed during the past few weeks with Dutch center forward, Luuk De Jong being the beneficiary of his excellent service.
In conclusion, just one thing stands in the way of Dembele from excelling at Stamford Bridge if he does sign for Chelsea and that is his injury crises.
Barring that, I am quite certain of his ability to absolutely lit up the premier league and that could rekindle Chelsea’s hopes of finally ending City’s dominance.
