Barcelona’s players are behind Ousmane Dembele during his difficult spell, according to forward Malcom.
Dembele has yet to truly settle down at Barcelona since joining in the summer of 2017 and has reportedly infuriated the club’s hierarchy on many occasions.
What has gone wrong for Dembele at Barcelona? Five key things to know…
- Dembele joined Barcelona from Borussia Dortmund in 2017 as a potential replacement for Neymar who left for Paris Saint-Germain.
- His first season in Spain was interrupted by injury problems and the Frenchman would make only 17 league appearances.
- This season, Dembele has come under fire for reported attitude problems, with Luis Suarez recently telling him to focus on his football.
- But Malcom insists the Barcelona squad are supportive of Dembele as the youngster continues to learn.
- Dembele has completed the full 90 minutes on just two occasions in all competitions this season.
Dembele was also recently left out of Barcelona’s matchday squad to face Real Betis prior to the international break, with manager Ernesto Valverde hinting at internal issues.
But Malcom remains certain the Frenchman still has the support of his team-mates, telling beIN Sports, via Goal:”[Dembele] is young, but we will support him in all situations to learn.
“I am too. We are supporting him from the dressing room.”
Malcom himself only recently joined Barcelona in the summer but has had to watch on for most of the season so far, making five appearances in all competitions and still awaiting his first start.
But that has not kept the Brazilian down, with Malcom insisting he remains patient given the amount of talent he has to contend with.
“Nothing is ever easy. Barcelona are the best team in the world,” he added.
“It is difficult.
“There are many players with quality, many who were at the World Cup, and you have to be patient, keep calm. And when there are opportunities, you have to take advantage of them.”
It remains to be seen whether Dembele will be back among the Barcelona squad as they get ready to face Atletico Madrid on Saturday evening.
What have other people said about Dembele?
Aside from reports of bad attitude from Dembele, the Frenchman has also built a bad reputation for lateness for both club and country.
The 21-year-old has been known to often turn up late for international duty with the French national team, something manager Didier Deschamps feels he needs to get out of his system if he is to fulfil his potential.
He said: “Ousmane has been with us for a while. That’s his usual trick to be late, but in his defence, I’m sure he’ll say: ‘I’m not the only one.’
“Whether at a big club like Barcelona, in the French national team or elsewhere, he has to pay attention to that. It’s part of the life and requirements of a professional footballer.
“He must improve to prevent it from becoming negative. These are situations that can be repeated. The sooner he understands that, the better for everyone.”
And Barcelona team-mate Suarez is another to tell Dembele to focus on his football, saying: “I think being a footballer is a privilege.
“I think he should focus on football, and take inspiration from the exemplary professionals in the Barcelona dressing room.”
But it is not all negative, with compatriot Blaise Matuidi urging French football fans to have more patience with Dembele to allow him to grow in his own time.
“You shouldn’t be too hard with him. He can still do great things. He’s going to help us, that’s for sure.”
QUIZ: Can you name Barcelona’s most expensive signings?
Upon his arrival last summer, Ousmane Dembele became Barcelona’s most expensive signing, though he would be topped less than six months later. Test your knowledge with our Sporcle quiz, and let us know how you get on in the comments below or through Twitter @Squawka.
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