Former Barcelona midfielder makes surprise pick for teammate with most football intelligence

Former Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessie recently gave his opinion on Ousmane Dembele, describing him as having the best left foot and the highest football intelligence he has encountered. 

Dembele, known for his speed, two-footed shooting ability, and attacking versatility, has been an exciting player since he arrived at Barcelona in 2017. 

Although he was supposed to take his skills to the next level at Barcelona, his controversial contractual situation deterred everything positive.

Nonetheless, the French winger has shown remarkable talent and has been playing at a high level in top-tier football for several years.

Kessie’s admiration

Speaking during a rapid-fire with the SPL, Kessie’s recent comments have drawn attention.

— SPL 🇸🇦 (@ActuSPL) October 14, 2024

During the interview where he was asked to pick the best players, he has shared the pitch with, the Ivorian midfielder surprisingly singled out Dembele for having the best left foot and exceptional football intelligence. 

These remarks have sparked debate, especially considering Dembele’s well-known struggles with decision-making during key moments.

It’s worth noting that Kessie currently plays for Al-Ahli, a club in Saudi Arabia, where he has made a solid start to the season. In 10 appearances, the former Barcelona midfielder has scored two goals and provided two assists, showing his own quality in a new league.

The former Barcelona midfielder’s choice seems a bit off the charts as one of the areas where Dembele has faced criticism is his decision-making on the field. 

Even Xavi, one of the coaches who put great faith in him during his time at Barcelona, has pointed out that Dembele needs to improve in how he handles crucial moments during games. 

Despite his raw talent and physical attributes, Dembele’s inconsistency in making the right decisions has sometimes held him back from achieving his full potential.