PSG: Ousmane Dembélé takes stock of his Parisian adventure

Arriving at Paris Saint-Germain on August 12, Ousmane Dembélé left FC Barcelona after six seasons in Catalonia. The Parisian management, which was beginning a major reconstruction plan with the departures of Neymar, Lionel Messi and Marco Verratti, had made the former Borussia Dortmund player an absolute priority in their Île-de-France project alongside Kylian Mbappé. In this sense, the Parisian leaders did not hesitate to blow up Ousmane Dembélé’s release clause, while he had one year of contract remaining with the Blaugrana. However, after the excitement of this transfer, reality caught up with PSG and Dembélé. Indeed, his first weeks were somewhat complicated with a goal and assist counter stuck at zero until September 24, the date of the match against OM during which Dembouz delivered his first offering of the season (today Today, he has 10 assists in all competitions with one goal).

But water flowed under the points afterwards and Ousmane Dembélé fully integrated into Luis Enrique’s offensive system. In an interview given to our colleagues at Parisian, the native of Vernon returned to several subjects, such as his relationship with the Spanish coach, the relationship he maintains with Spain but also his discretion in the media, far from the glitz and glitter of the world of football. But the most interesting elements concern his opinion on his debut in the Parisian jersey. For one of the first times this season, Ousmane Dembélé analyzed the start of his adventure in the capital. A complete assessment of his integration in the locker room and on the pitch. Precious confessions which say more about his status in the Parisian group.

A not so simple adaptation

Integrating into your country is not such an easy thing, especially after spending so many years abroad. Ousmane Dembélé admits that it took him a while to fully find his place in Paris, even as a French international trained in Ligue 1. One season in Germany, six in Spain. Dembélé only finally played a few months in France, when he was a Rennes player. However, the 26-year-old striker did not doubt himself and refused to feel guilty at the start of the season despite slightly underperforming production: “We had to digest the transfer from Barcelona to PSG. At the beginning, I searched a lot, but I never doubted myself and my abilities. I knew I was going to come back very strong. Some players are exceptional from the moment they arrive and others need time. In Dortmund, I exploded straight away and in Barcelona, ​​it happened little by little. It’s a bit the same thing in Paris, minus the injuries (…) I only played seven or eight months in France, at Stade Rennais, before going abroad for seven years. I don’t feel like a foreigner in my country, but football-wise, I’m a bit the least French of the French (laughs). We had to adapt, especially since Ligue 1 has changed enormously. The championship is much stronger than when I left it”declared the attacker in the columns of Parisian.

There was never any panic. Ousmane Dembélé specifies, with sincerity and humility, that PSG’s situation was that of a team in full transition with eleven summer recruits (number now increased to twelve including Lucas Beraldo). The presence of several Spanish speakers facilitated his integration, while he also became aware of the crucial role he had to play, particularly with the young players in the squad. After six months spent in Paris alongside the squad leaders, Dembouz confirmed that the group was united, lived very well and that communication was perfect between all the leaders: “Today I feel like I’ve finally found myself. I am on the right track, but I want to give even more, to be even more decisive. (…) I try to be myself, someone smiling and serious. I’m 26 years old now, I’ve learned a lot, I try to advise young people and set an example, but I also sleep. For that, it helps to speak Spanish even if in reality almost all the Spaniards in the club speak French now”, concluded the international who also discussed his role with the Blues and the very healthy competition he has with Bayern Munich striker Kingsley Coman. In any case, Parisian supporters can sleep soundly. Dembélé is fulfilled and ready to do anything to take PSG to the roof of Europe. And it starts tomorrow against the Txuri-urdinak at the Parc.

Follow the PSG – REAL SOCIEDAD match on RMC SPORT. Click here to subscribe and access the match.