Carlton Palmer: Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele would be a ‘perfect fit’ at Chelsea under Thomas Tuchel
Speaking to Give Me Sport (h/t football.london), former England international Carlton Palmer has urged Chelsea to sign Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele in the summer, backing him to work well under manager Thomas Tuchel.
Dembele has been linked with a move away all throughout the January transfer window after the relationship between him and Barcelona turned sour when he refused to sign a new contract. The Catalan club announced that they wanted him out in January, but a move away from Spain failed to materialise for the France international.
Palmer, who represented England in the 1992 European Championships, said that he believes Chelsea is the winger’s destination at the end of the season, with the Premier League’s pull being too much for anyone to turn down.
“I do (see Dembele signing for Chelsea). The Premier League is where everybody wants to play. So, I do see that as a deal that could be done in the summer, especially with him available on a free transfer.”
The World Cup winner is now set to stay at Barcelona till the end of the season, although only time will tell if the player will make another appearance for the club after their recent fallout. It would certainly be a shame to watch the highly talented winger waste his time sitting on the bench rather than give it his all on the pitch.
Tuchel reunion on the cards?
Although the future is still uncertain for the Frenchman, the Blues continue to be linked to the winger and were reported to be the player’s preference if he decides on a move at the end of the current season. Only time will tell if we see the player in a Chelsea jersey come next summer.
Tuchel is well aware of the player’s abilities, having coached him at Borussia Dortmund a few years ago. Although there is nothing to suggest that the manager is interested in bringing the player to Stamford Bridge, Blues fans may be excited about a potential reunion between the two in the summer.
Palmer for one considers such a reunion a perfect fit. One can see the Englishman’s point given that Dembele played some of the best football in his career under the German’s tutelage.
“He’s worked with Tuchel before, Tuchel knows him, so it’s a perfect fit. I can 100% see that happening in the summer, especially given that he’s going to be available on a free transfer.”
Dembele’s transfer saga was a drawn-out and dramatic affair all through January, with Barcelona trying to force him out and the player reiterating his professionalism and desire to play in Spain till the end of the season. All eyes will now be on manager Xavi Hernandez to see if he continues playing the Frenchman despite the breakdown in contract negotiations.
It would not be the worst idea in the world for Chelsea to go after Dembele, as we eye up a move for a forward who can provide a spark in attack. Joining the Blues would also give the winger a new challenge in his career, as he looks to put the contract drama with Barcelona behind him.
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Barcelona president Joan Laporta revealed that the player already might have an agreement with a new club heading into the summer. There is no guarantee that the club Laporta is talking about is Chelsea, but one can hope.
The summer could provide yet another opportunity for these links to Chelsea surface and Blues fans will be keeping a close eye on the Frenchman’s future. Bringing in a player of Dembele’s ability on a free is not something to be sniffed at.