Ousmane Dembele has started the season excellently under Xavi, and he is silently having a better season than most of Europe’s finest wingers including Vinicius Junior.
Just some months ago, Ousmane Dembele’s career at Barça looked like it was over. The Frenchman was even out of contract at a point this summer. However, he was determined to remain in Barcelona despite interests from other top club this summer, and now he is enjoying one of his finest period at the Camp Nou.
Dembele and Vinicius Junior have started the season well, both attackers already have 6 goal contributions to their names. However, Dembele’s overall performances so far this season puts him slightly ahead of the Brazilian forward.
Dembele and Vinicius have 6 goals contributions each, however the Frenchman is more of a creative force for Xavi’s Barcelona. Demebele has created 5 big chances for Barcelona in all competitions this term, 2 more than Vinicius, despite playing lesser minutes. Dembele also averages more key passes per game than Vinicius. In Barcelona’s Champions League match against Viktoria Plzen, Dembele produced 6 key passes despite playing only 75 mins.
Dembele is back
Frequent injuries have held Ousmane Dembele back since his move to Barcelona in 2017, however he looks like he has his form back. Xavi has always reiterated how much he believes in Dembele since he was appointed late last year. Xavi’s belief has helped Dembele rediscover his joy and confidence on the pitch. Now averaging 3.4 shots per game, better than Vinicius with only 1.4 per game. That shows confidence
Xavi recently compared Dembele to when Neymar was at Barcelona.
“I’ve always seen it that way,” It is not to throw flowers at me, but I have seen very few players with the ability to 1v1. He is at the level of the best Neymar.”
“He seems unstoppable; he makes the difference in crosses … I’m very happy for him. He deserves it. He had suffered the last few years. A pure winger, who comes out from both sides, is very difficult to defend. He is here to make a difference, and he is doing it.”
Dembele has been making the difference for Barça this season. His desire and hunger to do well for the club is so evident on the pitch.
His display against Valladolid, his nerve-settling goal for Barça against Real Sociedad, his challenge and assist for Lewandowski and his ridiculous floated pass for Ferran Torres against Viktoria Plzen; Dembele is back to his best, and has been better than most wingers in Europe this season including Vinicius Junior.
If He can stay fit and motivated He will surely do well especially as the World Cup is fast approaching…but He is not doing better than Vini as the two teams play a different system
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