Dembélé's time to shine

It has been 110 days since Neymar played his last game at the Camp Nou. Finally today, with the debut of Barça's record signing Ousmane Dembélé, Barça fans have something to look forward to. It cost Barça €105 million to get over the feelings of betrayal caused by Neymar's departure.

But big problems require big solutions and there is probably no other player morel like Neymar than the man Barça signed from Dortmund. If Valverde decides to give him his debut, the Camp Nou will learn today that Dembélé is synonymous with show. He likes to dribble, he's fast, he's the present but most of all the future.

He shouldn't be rushed, he's still only 20 and still suffering the effects of the media storm signing for Barça entails. Let's not forget that Neymar's debut season only hinted at what was to come and 'Mosquito' will need time to adapt.

Dembélé will probably start on the left wing against Espanyol. From there, he can start to develop an understanding with the best player in the world, who he fell in love with watching him score a hat-trick against Arsenal in the 'Pep Team' era. However, the third member of the new trident will not be there tonight.

He will be faced with no just another rival. Espanyol will be in Barça's faces like always and Dembélé will have to adapt quickly to the demands of La Liga. Espanyol already had a look at Dembélé in pre-season in a friendly so will know what to expect.

Not so long ago, Piqué admitted that to succeed in Barça a good start is very important. The first matches, the first good bits of play, the first mistakes. Barça's history is littered with great players who couldn't cope with the pressure. Dembélé though has an excellent chaperone in his first few tentative steps as a Barça player - Samuel Umtiti, a player who has earned the respect of players and fans.

Tonight though is Dembéle's chance to lay down a marker and to give a taste of what might still be to come.