Barcelona boss Xavi has not helped quash any rumours circulating about Ousmane Dembele’s possible move to Chelsea.
The Blues have been linked pretty heavily with the frustrating Frenchman ever since his contract situation with the Spanish side spiralled out of control.
Discussing Dembele once again
Dembele’s deal to stay at the Camp Nou expires in the summer, an extension the club are still desperate to organise.
Conversations about elongating the 24-year-old’s Barca career haven’t exactly gone to plan up to this point, as it seems the player will be leaving at the end of the season.
He almost departed on deadline day, with some outlets suggesting a transfer to Chelsea was on the cards.
Although the winter window snapped shut before this transaction could be sanctioned, reports continued to churn out Dembele’s potential switch to Stamford Bridge.
According to Dean Jones, the Blues are confident they can sign the attacker once the campaign concludes.
Whilst all this drama has ensued around the forward off the pitch, matters on it have also taken numerous twists and turns.
Xavi dropped Dembele for two matches last month, before recalling him at the start of February, where he was booed by the home crowd.
In the follow-up fixture, the former Borussia Dortmund winger provided an assist in Barca’s 4-1 La Liga win over Valencia.
Ousmane on the score sheet
His contribution furthered yesterday, scoring and setting up two more during a 4-0 victory for the Catalonians against Athletic Bilbao.
After his side’s success on Sunday, Xavi was met with a wave of questions about Dembele’s future.
“It’s not my problem that he stays. He works very well and that’s why I defend him, he is able to do what he does,” said the legendary midfielder turned manager.
“I see a lot of potential in him. He can play on the left, on the right, he can score goals, he can pass.
“He is at the end of his contract. In football, you can’t rule anything out. Never. Suddenly he couldn’t play anymore and now he plays.
“I have already said in my presentation that he can be the best in his position.
“I believe he can do it in every game. It’s up to him and the club to decide. Now is not the time to talk about overtime, it’s about him. It is time to praise collective work.”
This declaration may give Chelsea’s chain of command reason to believe they will be able to snap up Dembele before too long.
Xavi certainly didn’t make out all was 100% well in the Frenchman’s camp, even if some suggest he is happier than ever.
All shall be revealed once the term turns its lights out for another year.
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