Leaving FC Barcelona seldom works in the favor of departing superstars, and for good reason. Arguably already competing at the highest level alongside the very best, any new destination afterward is a bit of a degrade. While many stars have tried, it has not exactly worked out.
One of the most infamous transfer sagas was that of Brazilian superstar Neymar Jr in 2017. Leaving Barcelona to go to Paris Saint-Germain for a world record deal worth €222 million, his time in France is seen as a bit of a letdown. However, if that was not evidence enough, another Barça winger decided to try his luck with it.
Rebellion
In the summer of 2023, French winger Ousmane Dembele departed Barcelona to go to PSG. Seen as somewhat of a betrayal towards Xavi Hernandez, a manager who did everything possible to help Dembele regain his value, he ended up abandoning the Barça project to go to France.
Initially, many would have thought that it would be Barcelona that ended up missing out the most from this departure. However, after a few months, it can now be said that the truth is the complete opposite. According to Mundo Deportivo, it is Ousmane Dembele who is rather missing the cushion and faith of FC Barcelona.
Futile Frenchman
During his time in France thus far, Dembele has been clearly disappointing. In 9 games for the Parisians, Dembele has managed to score no goals at all and only provided 2 assists. These numbers are not just considered disappointing relative to the expectations from him, but even just as absolute statistics.
Concerned critics
Former PSG player Johan Micoud did not mince words when trying to analyze Dembele’s time at PSG thus far. He initially began to critique his impact in France as compared to his influence in Barcelona:
“I have had serious doubts about Dembele for months, even years. At Barça, although he didn’t have great stats, he created things, made differences. Since he’s been at PSG, he hasn’t created much, doesn’t produce stats.”
He then went out to point out Dembele’s lack of confidence and inability to display his technique. He further stated that unless Dembele does what he did so effectively at Barcelona, he essentially becomes useless:
“There are many things he doesn’t do. I think he has lost confidence, he’s not as decisive in his dribbles anymore; sometimes he has one-on-one opportunities at PSG and doesn’t take them. This is already worrying because if he doesn’t play to his strengths, then he’s not very useful.”
A bad ending
Moreover, even his recent displays for France have been less than convincing. To make matters worse, the French press is highlighting wingers that are outperforming him. Kingsley Coman, a Bayern Munich winger, was highlighted by L’Equipe as having been a far better influence.
Dembele’s departure in itself was a rather ugly affair. Arguments over the division of the transfer fee and ending things on a bad note were all detrimental. The relationship between PSG and Barça was also not exactly in a good place. Dembele’s involvement with the Parisian club thus made matters even worse.
Moreover, given the emergence of Lamine Yamal, Dembele’s departure hurts even less. The 16-year-old winger has not just managed to replace the Frenchman’s dynamism, but has also proven to be a much more efficient replacement to his predecessor.
In La Liga alone, the young teenager has managed 3 goal contributions. A goal and two assists are his tally in 9 appearances for Barça. Given his age, his progression continues to be astounding.
