Xavi: Dembele can become best in world at Barcelona
James Shearman
- Updated: 6 Apr 2022 20:10 BST
- 3 min read
Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez wants Ousmane Dembele to stay at the club, but he is yet to make a decision on his future.
Dembele was heavily linked with a move away from Camp Nou in January, with just six months left on his deal, but he chose to see out the remainder of his contract.
He will now have plenty of options to choose from in the summer transfer window, including the likes of Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain.
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But, Xavi is keen to see the Frenchman's extend his stay at Camp Nou and believes he can improve on the performances he has put in thus far.
''I have said several times, the club works on the present and the future,'' Xavi said in his latest press conference. ''Ousmane is an important player for us, and I hope he stays.”
''Since I have arrived, Dembele has been an example in training. The way he plays and his commitment. I see him very happy and I do not find it surprising that he comes on a holiday.''
''I hope he stays with us and I think he’s having a good time here. He’s a player who can make the difference, he can become one of the best in the world in his position and I’m not afraid to repeat that.''
This statement as a surprise, given Dembele's struggles in a Barca shirt to date. He would have to massively turn things around to reach world-class status.
Dembele's time at Barca
Barcelona were held to ransom by Dortmund as they sought a replacement for Neymar.
Having just recouped the biggest transfer fee ever seen, they were forced to pay over the odds for young French winger, who had shown plenty of potential first with Rennes, then with BVB.
Xavi on Dembélé: "I'd sign his new contract immediately, no doubt! But we need the numbers to work, it's a negotiation - same with Araújo that looks almost done, Gavi, Sergi Roberto". 🇫🇷 #FCB
"I hope he stays. He could be one of the best players of the world in his position". pic.twitter.com/cOitWMMLIr— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 6, 2022
A €105m deal was thrashed out, with a possible €40m to follow in bonuses.
Dembele’s time at Barcelona, though, has been dominated by injury problems, which have seen him fail to get anything close to his best.
He has started just nine times in La Liga this season, although he has registered a mightily impressive 10 assists.
