What is it with this guy, he has talent in abundance but we rarely get to see it. He has an uncanny ability to glide past players like they aren't there. I know people say he passes sideways alot of the time and the end product is usually negative but he clearly has massive talent when he is motivated and on form. I just had a look at this guy Imbula from Inter who we are supposedly interested in paying £13 million for and he doesn't look any great shakes in comparison. The question is, how can MP get the most of Dembele on a consistent basis.
It's a tricky and frustrating one. He's basically good at everything, but he never really seems to click. I'm not convinced that anyone knows exactly what to do with him or what his best position is. If he could just stop slowing things down and be a little more positive, then he'd be utterly devastating. He's strong, quick, it's virtually impossible to get the ball off him at times and he has an excellent shot on him, but his decision making's poor. He'll go past players like they're standing still, then cut back and do it again or simply dwell on the ball. Playing him consistently in the hole and telling him to take more shots or lay the ball off at pace might make him flourish. The problem with that is that we have about a million other players whose best role is the same and Eriksen's the main one, for me. Pushing the Dane out wide doesn't work and dropping him into the midfield leaves us with unbalanced pairings, which is already an issue.
I tend to agree. I've always rated Dembele. He's strong, quick, skilfull, and has the ability to boss a midfield. Why he blows so hot and cold, I've no idea. If we aren't preparing to sell him, hopefully we'll see the better side of him next season. With the Euros coming up, I'm sure he'll want to book his place in the Belgian side.
Imbula's at Marseille, Inter just signed Kondogbia. Yeah, I had high hopes for Dembele but he's only produced on a handul of ocassions for us in 3 seasons. He's got such potential but he's incredibly inconsistant and his goal threat is non existant. 5 goals in 117 games for us whilst Paulinho, disappointing as he's been, has 10 in 67. Add in his injury problems that could potentially still return and I'd happily see him sold, even to Chelsea.
I think he's a very 'AVB' player - he retains possession well, if not very imaginatively, and would do well I think playing that slow, possession based style of football. Pochettino wants players who can get their heads up, read a situation and bring the ball forward with a quick pass or dribble. Dembele is too cautious and doesn't read the game well enough for my tastes, despite his obvious physical and technical abilities.
It always strikes me that Dembele looks for instructions on how to play and is just too deliberate in following those instructions. He needs to relax and let his obvious ability shine. Perhaps a spliff before the game or a large brandy might do the trick.
Paulinho has 10 goals for us?! Hang on - Wikipedia says 6, soccerbase says 11. Now I don't know anything... On Dembele: I've previously said that, even though there are players that might be worse than him at the club, he'd be one of the first I'd sell because we just know, by now, that he doesn't offer enough. But of course it's so tempting to think that if he had the right coaching, the right instruction, *something* he really could be a monster. But it has been three years... Typical AVB player - yes. Not thought of that before. Lots of possession and never looks dangerous enough. It was spot on what Les Ferdinand said about him when he mentioned that he (Dembele) feels most comfortable on the ball when he's being challenged. That is so clear but I'd never put it into words. He wants to invite challenges so he can get away from them but then doesn't know what to do once he's done that. It *is* very tempting to think he can be fixed so I completely understand people not wanting him to go. He's 27 now...
I think I got it off Transfermarkt, looking at Soccer base it seems like Wikipedia are just listing his league appearances and goals. Les Ferdinand also said Dembele could play for Real Madrid though
I would be very tempted to try Dembele as a defender or perhaps as a sweeper in front of the back 4. Distribution should be easier for him from there.
2013-4: 6 in the Premier League, 2 in the Europa League, 1 in the COC 2014-5: 1 in Europa League qualifying, 1 in the FA Cup
Dembele is great at bringing the ball up to the final third, but beyond that is "nosebleed territory" for him. So to play to his strengths means that when he gets the ball and surges forward, your strikers and creative MF must get up in front of him to be available to receive the ball.
I laughed. Although now I'm not sure you were making the joke about the player with the same name or not.
You present me with a dilemma! That would have been a good joke. However, no, I meant our one. For Fulham, he played as a withdrawn striker and gradually moved backwards.
