Barcelona talking points as Dembele grows into his role ahead of Girona clash

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Barcelona host Girona in La Liga on Sunday as they look for their fifth league win in as many games this season.

    The Catalans are coming on the back of a fine 4-0 thumping of PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League as well.

    Here’s a look at some topics of discussion ahead of the encounter.

    DEMBELE GROWING INTO ROLE

    Ousmane Dembele’s Barcelona career is still in its infancy but given his transfer fee – which could amount to €147 million after add-ons – he’s been subjected to some pretty harsh criticism. The fact he was seen as Neymar’s replacement hasn’t helped either.

    His first season at the club was blighted by injury and he has sometimes been a little hit and miss. People are quick to forget though Dembele is still only 19 and the fact is, he’s directly contributed to a goal every 95 minutes so far for Barcelona.

    This season, the young Frenchman is starting to grow into his role as a prominent part of Barca’s front three alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. With four goals in five appearances this term, Dembele is showing encouraging signs and needs to retain his place in the starting XI as far as possible to maintain his momentum.

    Ousmane Dembele.

    Ousmane Dembele.

    PERFECT BARCA

    With Real Madrid slipping up last week as they were held to a draw away to a committed Athletic Bilbao side, Barcelona are now the only La Liga side with a 100 per cent record intact this season.

    They did have to dig deep away from home and grind out a couple of narrow victories – 1-0 at Valladolid and 2-1 at Real Sociedad. However, a return to the comforts of Camp Nou will bode well for them this weekend. Their form on home soil this season in all competitions has been excellent.

    They’ve scored 15 goals over two league fixtures and one Champions League game at home this season and history suggests Girona are unlikely to stem the flow. The Blaugrana ran riot in an emphatic 6-1 victory in this fixture last season while also securing a 3-0 win in the away clash.

    Barcelona began in a similar vein of form last season and the league title was effectively decided by December with Atletico Madrid and Real struggling in the first half of the campaign, handing the Catalans an insurmountable lead.

    Despite a setback last weekend, Los Blancos are unlikely to suffer from such a sluggish start this term as the team is beginning to click under new manager Julen Lopetegui.

    Maintaining this momentum is a necessity for Barcelona this time if they are to retain their title.’

    Barcelona on a roll.

    Barcelona on a roll.

    NEW SIGNINGS MUST START

    For the aforementioned reasons, Girona at home should be a simple enough outing for Barcelona so it would make perfect sense for Ernesto Valverde to give some of the new members in the squad a run out.

    Time on the pitch is precious and with a congested fixtures schedule ahead, the Barca boss will need his fringe players to step up, but before he can rely on them in more testing circumstances, they must be afforded the chance to settle in during match scenarios.

    Arturo Vidal, a decorated midfielder and seasoned professional, has only appeared off the bench so far this season. A start for the 31-year-old sooner rather than later would go a long way towards preparing him for challenges ahead.

    The same could be said for another midfield acquisition almost 10 years the Chilean’s junior. Arthur has only played 34 minutes for his new side so far and will be hungry for some game time.

    Meanwhile in defence, Barca signed one of the most sought-after young centre-backs in Clement Lenglet over the summer but the Frenchman, like Arthur, has only seen 34 minutes of action so far. With Samuel Umtiti picking up a sending off in the Champions League, it would make sense to give Lenglet more playing time before he will have to feature in their trip to face Tottenham next month.

    Clement Lenglet.

    Clement Lenglet.

    Recommended