Dilemma Dembele: Can the winger fill in for Messi?

Dilemma Dembele: Can the winger fill in for Messi?

Dembélé se crece aún más en la Champions League / | Mediapro

The Frenchman's inconsistent performances have generated some doubts

Barcelona don't like asking what will happen when Lionel Messi's not around as much as Messi doesn't like imagining what he will do in retirement. It's a fear shared with the same intensity by supporters. The silence at Camp Nou on Saturday, when Messi was down in pain, shows as much. 

The Argentine will be out for three weeks. Valverde will have to think of a new plan. And the players will have to live without the security net that Messi's presence alone brings. And the challenge is enormous: what part of the squad can help gloss over the absence of the No.10's influence? 

"We want to miss Messi but winning. He's fundamental and marks the way we play but we will try to maintain our idea and take a step forward," Valverde announced. 

OUSMANE, AT THE CROSSROADS  

Ousmane Dembele was the option to replace Messi against Sevilla. And if Valverde is coherent with the season so far, he will be the chosen one for the upcoming games. At least against Inter. What's happened is that games have highlighted the Frenchman's inconsistency. 

There are extraordinary moments and unexplainable losses of the ball. Memorable goals followed by switching off. It seems Dembele plays various games in 90 minutes. The opinion offered by France coach Didier Deschamps? "He is still not totally aware of the demands of the top level." 

Dembele is under suspicion. Immersed in a permanent scrutiny of extremes (from enthusiasm to whistles in the same game, such as Saturday) that seems to weigh on him more and more.

He is still an unstable player, as was seen against Sevilla. there's the sensation that, from being a regular in the XI (with important goals early on in the season) to being more of a resource, has diminished his confidence. The winger is a player that needs confidence. He needs to feel important to feel comfortable. "An incredible talent," Valverde often says, but he needs to work to keep growing.  

There's Valverde's dilemma for the coming games: take the risk for the team that Dembele's presence brings or look for a more conservative option? The good news for the French international is that Messi's absence allows him to play on the right wing. 

It's where he's more comfortable, more so than the left, where most of his appearances have been this season. But Dembele offers imbalance in both areas. While Messi limits the loss of the ball (and, therefore, counter-attacks) and has an extraordinary pass (and reading of the game), Ousmane is a free verse. A player that loses the ball in dangerous areas and lacks the awareness of working in defence. 

"Last season we conceded fewer goals and this year we are conceding without receiving too many shots. It's something we have to analyse and we have to improve," said Valverde. 

The reality is that with 4-3-3 this season, the team has lost some order in defence. And when the opposition get to the goal, on many occasions they're one-on-one against Ter Stegen. 

And not even the German's great form is enough to make Barça solid. In attack, the team continues to be formidable, despite the fact Dembele hasn't scored since Sept. 18. 

Now, the Frenchman must take advantage of Messi's absence to justify the club's investment.