Valverde: Dembele could start for Barcelona against Levante
The Barça coach spoke to the press on Saturday
He said Dembele is fit to start if selected on Sunday
Ernesto Valverde says Ousmane Dembele could make his first start since returning from a four month injury layoff in Sunday's La Liga game against Levante.
The Barcelona coach says the France international has as much chance of being in the team as any other player in the 18-man squad.
However, he did urge caution, too, pointing out that games are completely different to training.
"Ousmane has the same chances as everyone else in the squad," Valverde said in a press conference on Saturday.
"We have to be careful with [Dembele] because he needs to find his way back into the team’s dynamic, but of course he has a chance of starting."
"He is looking good, much better. At first [when he signed], he was a little off but he’s been adapting.
"It’s similar now because he’s just come back from a serious injury. But we will have to see because competitive games are different to training."
Dembele returned to action on Thursday with a 20 minute cameo in the Copa del Rey draw against Celta Vigo.
