Dembele injury: More minutes for Carles Pérez and Ansu Fati?
The Frenchman's lengthy layoff will open the door for the club's youngsters
Barcelona have confirmed that Ousmane Dembele will be out for 10 weeks and his minutes will now have to be shared out among other players.
Carles Perez and Ansu Fati took the chance earlier in the season when the Frenchman was injured and they may get another opportunity now.
With all the first-team forwards fit again recently, they've had less game time, but Ernesto Valverde knows he can count on the academy graduates during two-and-a-half months without Dembele (he will miss up to 16 games).
WIDE OPTIONS
Dembele is the only player in the squad whose profile is clearly that of a winger. Without him, Barça are short in that position, which will now be occupied by Antoine Griezmann, who's getting used to a new role.
However, the Barça B players can take advantage of Dembele's absence and prove themselves. Both Perez and Ansu are wide players and appear as valid options for Valverde, who hasn't used either much in recent games,
Perez has not played a minute since he came on for Suarez at Levante, while Ansu has played a little bit more: 20 minutes against Leganes and 45 against Celta Vigo.
