Ousmane Dembele linked up with Barcelona during the summer of 2017, with La Liga giants investing a sizeable chunk of the record-breaking transfer fee that they brought in for Neymar in luring a French forward away from Borussia Dortmund.
A hot prospect, Dembele was expected to thrive in Catalunya, having shown obvious potential during a one-season spell in Germany, but things have not played out as planned for the Rennes academy graduate at Camp Nou.
The 24-year-old is in the process of running down his contract, with Barca preparing to part with a player that has struggled to make the desired impact in Spain through a combination of form and fitness issues. How many games has he missed in total? GOAL takes a look…
It took Dembele just a matter of weeks on Barcelona’s books in which to suffer a serious injury, with a hamstring problem picked up when making his first La Liga start for the club in September 2017.
Untimely spells on the treatment table have been a common occurrence since then, with thigh muscle complaints proving to be particularly problematic.
He has not had a single campaign at Camp Nou in which no ailments were endured, with 102 games sat out across four-and-a-half years.
You can see Dembele’s full Barcelona injury history in the table below.
InjuryDateGames missedHamstring injurySept 17-Jan 1, 2017-1820Torn muscle bundleJan 15-Feb 10, 20187Ankle injuryJan 21-Feb 8, 20195Torn muscle bundleMar 14-Apr 9, 20194Hamstring injuryMay 5- Jun 16, 20194Hamstring injuryAug 19-Sept 22, 20195Muscular problemsSept 27-Sept 30, 20191Torn muscle bundleNov 28-Feb 2, 2019-2013Hamstring injuryFeb 4-Aug 13, 202019Hamstring injuryDec 6-Dec 28, 20205UnknownApr 21-Apr 23 20211Knee injuryJun 20-Nov 1, 202114Hamstring injuryNov 4-Nov 22, 20212CoronavirusDec 29-Jan 5, 2021-222Total102
Table correct at time of writing on 25/01/2022
It took an initial outlay of €105 million (£88m/$118m) in order for Barca to prise Dembele from the clutches of Dortmund, with that transfer package including a further €40m (£34m/$45m) in add-ons.
In truth, little value has been found in a man who immediately inherited the No.11 jersey from the departed Neymar at Camp Nou.
He registered just three goals in 17 appearances during his debut campaign, but was fit enough at the end of that to help France to World Cup glory in Russia.
A more productive 2018-19 season delivered 42 outings and a personal-best return of 14 goals, with back-to-back La Liga title triumphs taken in alongside Lionel Messi and Co.
Just nine appearances were made in 2019-20, before bouncing back again the following year, but Barca have toiled as a collective in the present.
Dembele is now seemingly ready to jump ship, having snubbed all efforts to put a contract extension in place, and club boss Xavi has confirmed that a buyer will be sought during the winter transfer window of 2022.
While the France international has failed to deliver on expectations in Spain, his stock remains high in the eyes of interested parties across Europe.
Exit talk at Camp Nou has raged on a regular basis, even before his deal started to run down, and a fresh start may help to rekindle a lost spark.
Manchester United have been heavily linked with Dembele in the past, along with Premier League rivals Liverpool, while Newcastle now boast the funds and ambition to make a deal possible.
Chelsea have also come into the mix of late, with Blues boss Thomas Tuchel having previously worked with Dembele at Dortmund.
All of those mulling over an official approach will be aware of the many qualities that a World Cup winner could add to their respective ranks, but they will also be wary of a chequered injury record that suggests they would be taking a calculated gamble in any deal.
iffy1985
1
Dembele break a lot of injury records in Barcelona history he will never be forgotten. legend of injury and hospital
vuaipuy
0
Dembele will be a huge asset at any club. He has proven himself many times over. He was very lethal for France at the World Cup. His injury problem is no different from those of other top players. Ansu Fati has been plagued by injuries in the last two years, but no one talks about his injuries because he has been an obedient servant to the egg heads in Barca. The only reason why Dembele's injury woes are always making the headlines is because Barca is trying to de-market their prized asset and scare away potential suitors. That way, Dembele would be blackmailed and coerced into signing a new deal. But too bad the strategy backfired. Dembele is not going to renew his contract with Barca.
he has missed almost half of the games, and u are saying hi injury problem is not different??
cabdulahicali
2
dembele welcome to Manchester United
mecaknoy
0
Dembele will be a huge asset at any club. He has proven himself many times over. He was very lethal for France at the World Cup. His injury problem is no different from those of other top players. Ansu Fati has been plagued by injuries in the last two years, but no one talks about his injuries because he has been an obedient servant to the egg heads in Barca. The only reason why Dembele's injury woes are always making the headlines is because Barca is trying to de-market their prized asset and scare away potential suitors. That way, Dembele would be blackmailed and coerced into signing a new deal. But too bad the strategy backfired. Dembele is not going to renew his contract with Barca.
you're just some clown
ziybcsuy
0
Kindly advise your club to immediately sign him without delay, Mr asset.
We already have capable players in his position.
Domdelnosz
1
Dembele will be a huge asset at any club. He has proven himself many times over. He was very lethal for France at the World Cup. His injury problem is no different from those of other top players. Ansu Fati has been plagued by injuries in the last two years, but no one talks about his injuries because he has been an obedient servant to the egg heads in Barca. The only reason why Dembele's injury woes are always making the headlines is because Barca is trying to de-market their prized asset and scare away potential suitors. That way, Dembele would be blackmailed and coerced into signing a new deal. But too bad the strategy backfired. Dembele is not going to renew his contract with Barca.
Kindly advise your club to immediately sign him without delay, Mr asset.
wohdenrt
1
Dembele will be a huge asset at any club. He has proven himself many times over. He was very lethal for France at the World Cup. His injury problem is no different from those of other top players. Ansu Fati has been plagued by injuries in the last two years, but no one talks about his injuries because he has been an obedient servant to the egg heads in Barca. The only reason why Dembele's injury woes are always making the headlines is because Barca is trying to de-market their prized asset and scare away potential suitors. That way, Dembele would be blackmailed and coerced into signing a new deal. But too bad the strategy backfired. Dembele is not going to renew his contract with Barca.
you have said it all bro
ziybcsuy
6
Dembele will be a huge asset at any club. He has proven himself many times over. He was very lethal for France at the World Cup. His injury problem is no different from those of other top players. Ansu Fati has been plagued by injuries in the last two years, but no one talks about his injuries because he has been an obedient servant to the egg heads in Barca. The only reason why Dembele's injury woes are always making the headlines is because Barca is trying to de-market their prized asset and scare away potential suitors. That way, Dembele would be blackmailed and coerced into signing a new deal. But too bad the strategy backfired. Dembele is not going to renew his contract with Barca.
phemoranking
1
the is too go Chelsea , he will enjoy go for surgery .😆😆😆
bepbco
2
Here you go.
Feyacdeipr
2
Where is the table please?
ツŦŔŐŚŤ么ŐР
6
What a player he is 🤣🤣
Pocho1
0
Star? what has he ever done to be considered a star, because he had one good season at Borussia Dortmund five years ago. Star dont kill me. 🙄
YCEEog
2
EVERY BODY KNOW WHERE HE BELONG