Valverde responds to Dembele speculation

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde was asked about some of the speculation flying around concerning Ousmane Dembele after last night’s clash with Espanyol.

Spanish radio station Cadena SER have claimed Barcelona are concerned about his lifestyle away from the training pitch.

The club are apparently worried that he eats too much fast food which is making him more susceptible to injury.

There have also been suggestions that Dembele has been enjoying the Barcelona nightlife a little too much and is struggling to communicate with his team-mates.

Valverde was asked if he was worried about Dembele’s off-field behaviour and said the club are happy with the 20-year-old.

“This questions surprises me a bit,” he said.

“All of the players off the field are the most professional in the world to perform on Sunday and in the case of Dembele, they use trusted people, nutritionists.

“We are happy with him and he is going to help us a lot.

“He tried to get involved in play and has worked on individual moves and it is useful for use. Little by little. We hope that he translates that into Liga games.”

Source | AS

Dembele has recently stated in an interview with Onze Mondiale that he has “hired an osteopath and a cook” and that he knows “diet is essential” and he must look after himself.

The youngster has yet to show his best form since joining Barcelona which is largely due to some awful luck with injuries.

What he really needs, and we are all desperate to see, are a couple of really good performances which would bring confidence and quickly put an end to the speculation surrounding him right now.

Source: barcablaugranes.com