Wayne Rooney remarked on Ousmane Dembele’s erratic nature ahead of France’s World Cup win over England.
Writing for the Times, Rooney issued a warning to Gareth Southgate’s side about the French forward who was reportedly close to joining Chelsea in the summer.
Southgate and his men should’ve listened to the caution dished out by the country’s joint record goal scorer.
Dembele was a nuisance to England’s defence all evening in Qatar last night.
The 25-year-old certainly made sure Luke Shaw new he was in a quarter-final of the grandest footballing competition.
Didier Deschamps kept the Barcelona attacker on for 79 minutes before deciding his race was run.
Ousmane Dembele a dagger to Chelsea
Whilst he didn’t directly contribute a goal, Dembele ensured he was a danger to the Three Lions with his volatility.
“Luke Shaw is having a fine tournament but has a job on his hands controlling Dembélé. In Qatar, Dembélé has been really good and he is an unpredictable player,” said Rooney ahead of the pulsating tie.
“Sometimes he gives the ball away but at other times does things that have a big impact on the game.”
It is this irregularity that apparently persuaded Chelsea to purse the Barca man in both the summer and January.
The Stamford Bridge chain of command reportedly pushed for Dembele in the previous two transfer windows, and were seemingly so close to signing him.
He eventually decided not to switch Spain for Stamford Bridge, a decision that has so far this season paid dividends.
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox
