The young France forward is expected to be sidelined for around four
months after suffering a thigh injury against Getafe that has required
surgery
Everything appeared to be back on track. After all the problems suffered
by Barcelona during a troublesome summer, including the departure of
Neymar, the Spanish Supercopa loss to Real Madrid and issues at
boardroom level, there was a new-found optimism after a strong start in
La Liga and the Champions League.
As it turned out, however, another setback was just around the corner.
Because on Saturday, summer signing Ousmane Dembele limped off with a
thigh injury during Barca's 2-1 win at Getafe and it has been confirmed
that the young French forward will be out of action for up to four
months.
Dembele departed in the 25th minute against Getafe and, after tests
with the Catalan club, the 20-year-old flew to Finland for an operation
which will take place on Tuesday. And on Monday, he was pictured
arriving in a wheelchair.
It is bad news for Barcelona and on Saturday, coach Ernesto Valverde
said: "He is going to be out for some time. It's a shame because he was
just getting into the dynamic of the team. Let's hope he is not out for
too long."
However, his worst fears were subsequently confirmed and Dembele will
be sidelined for between three and four months, missing at least 13
matches in La Liga (including the Clasico away to Real Madrid on
December 23) and the Catalans' remaining five group games in the
Champions League (a trip to Juventus in late November among them).
Dembele could also be out for further fixtures in 2018, with Barca
set to face Levante at home and Real Sociedad away (so often a difficult
match for the Blaugrana) in the first half of January, with the
two-legged last 16 of the Copa del Rey also set to take place between
January 3 and 10.
It is not what Barcelona had in mind for a player who cost €105
million initially in a transfer that could rise to €150m with add-ons
over time. Dembele was one of two targets to replace Neymar after the
Brazilian moved to Paris Saint-Germain in early August, but ultimately
only the France forward was brought in after a move for Liverpool's
Philippe Coutinho broke down and a late swoop for PSG's Angel Di Maria
also failed.
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