The dilemma facing Barcelona: Ansu Fati or Ousmane Dembele?

The dilemma facing Barcelona: Ansu Fati or Ousmane Dembele?

Último entrenamiento antes del encuentro ante el Villarreal / | PERFORM

Dembele's back from a hamstring injury but Ansu's shone in the Frenchman's absence

Ousmane Dembele is back in Barcelona's squad for Tuesday's game against Villarreal after five weeks out with a hamstring injury. The first consequence of his return is that Carles Perez has been dropped from the 18 for the first time this season. 

But the big debate which is now open focuses on Ansu Fati, another youngster who has been used by Ernesto Valverde while Dembele, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi have been injured. All three are now back. Ansu has played a big role at the start of the season. He's played 221 minutes across five games, starting two of them (Valencia and Borussia Dortmund). He has scored two goals. 

The 16-year-old's excited Barça fans and has even been 'blessed' by Messi. But now, with Dembele back, he could pay the price. The Frenchman was injured against Athletic on Aug. 16 and generated more controversy over the way he dealt with that setback, not telling the club doctors after the game. He has a bigger reputation than Ansu and he cost 105 million euros... everything suggests he will be the fourth forward (behind Messi, Suarez and Griezmann), relegating Ansu to a spectator role.

U17 WORLD CUP 

Ansu has another factor against him: he's just been granted Spanish citizenship and is set to be called up for the U17 World Cup, which will be played in Brazil between Oct. 26 and Nov. 17. For more than one month (including the pre-tournament training camp), the forward from Guinea Bissau will not be able to play for Barça -- benefitting Dembele. 

At the moment (not including Perez, who may return to Barça B), Valverde has five forwards for the first team: Messi, Suarez, Griezmann, Dembele and Ansu. The first three seem set to be undisputed starters. Dembele will be the first change. And Ansu? The debate about his immediate future starts now. 

Topics with the letter