Current situation according to some reports:

Dembele's future is intertwined with a few forwards this summer. Lewandowski pushing for Barcelona, would see Bayern only sell if they can get a player of Mané's calibre. They will go all in on Sadio and its being reported if successful Bayern unlikely to chase Dembele.

Also Gnabry's future currently up in the air. Barcelona would then try for Raphina to replace Dembele but, Leeds staying up makes that a much more pricey acquisition.

My understanding with Dembele for those fearing his wage and sign on bonus is it's not as high as being reported. Some people were reporting €40m per year to stay at Barca whereas he had a deal with PSG for €18-20m per year. 

Personally and this is just a hunch, I believe his agent quoted Barcelona a much higher figure because there is no intention to stay. His agent merely kept them in the picture so he could put himself in the shop window. His agent (Moussa Sissoko) knows the business and what they're doing. There's been pessimism around the deal from a Barca perspective for months they're not naive they know what's happening. 

After watching him this season this is how I would summarise most peoples concerns regarding his acquisition were he to come.

On his injury record, like Pulisic this season after earlier issues in the season he's managed to stay fit for the last 6 months no real problems. He's also 24 now so he's grown more into his body and this is usually around the age some players shrug of the injury prone tag and start to find some more consistency. He looks fit and healthy, but this is a concern I understand people may have and it's the only one that I would agree with.

Regarding his physique, his body type is suited for the league despite what some may believe. There's bigger players and smaller players in the league thriving. By now most should know size isn't determinant of performance (see the Silvas, Mata and Jota) or should be used as a measurement of a players ability to adapt. 

I myself like a few on here did not rate him because of his time at Barca, his finishing was a concern for me. Yet if Tuchel wants him like we are led to believe, I will blindly back the decision no question. It's not so much goals he would be brought in to score (although this will be an area TT would work on with him). It's chance creation which is high up on the agenda.

I think the main thing this squad lacks is pace up top you look at some other top sides across Europe and pace up front is a necessity. Alongside a chief creator or two. We have the players to finish, but we don't have players that can deliver goals on a plate consistently to not just the forwards but the whole team.

Dembele is a playmaker and he's a fast one at that. We don't have someone of his skillset bar CHO, a player that will run at defenders, glide past them and stick not just a cross but a pinpoint one in. Having 3 elite crosses in Dembele, James and Chilwell could be devastating next season. Both James and Chilly can dribble as can a few in the squad but not at Dembele's speed.

Watching some of our current attackers it almost feels awkward when they try to take on a defender, I'm sure TT has identified this and wants a forward in that can open up packed defenses. 

Finally Dembele ended up the top playmaker for la liga and only really started playing in December after missing the first 4 months. He played only 41% of the total minutes possible this season. Yet despite missing half a season he managed in 4 months to be the best playmaker in their league.

Xavi has got the best out of him since Tuchel. Now he has the chance to link up with the coach who brought out a career high of 10 goals and 21 assists in the 16/17 season.

If he comes I think he may just surprise us, but if he doesn't come we have other options. Yet with an expensive squad rebuild on the horizon and the need to spend mainly to cover for defensive holes in the squad. Signing Dembele on a free represents a real coup in my opinion. He looks like he's finally ready to settle down and focus on his football and prove to the world his worth. 

 

16 hours ago, Scott Harris said:

I don't see how he is an improvement on what we have. He is as lightweight as Pulisic and scores fewer goals than Werner. He may have pace and he may be able to dribble, but without strength and stamina, his pace and dribbling means very little in the Premier League. 

His assists record is decent, but he plays against much more open defences than what we see in the Premier League. We also need him to come up with the goals, and he has 1 all season.......1. Assists are great and an important part of a wingers game, but the simple fact is we need goals in our attack and he doesn't have it.

You HAVE watched our attackers haven’t you?

If Bayern want to sell Gnabry I’d prefer him to Dembele.

2 hours ago, LongtimerLurker said:

Current situation according to some reports:

Dembele's future is intertwined with a few forwards this summer. Lewandowski pushing for Barcelona, would see Bayern only sell if they can get a player of Mané's calibre. They will go all in on Sadio and its being reported if successful Bayern unlikely to chase Dembele.

Also Gnabry's future currently up in the air. Barcelona would then try for Raphina to replace Dembele but, Leeds staying up makes that a much more pricey acquisition.

My understanding with Dembele for those fearing his wage and sign on bonus is it's not as high as being reported. Some people were reporting €40m per year to stay at Barca whereas he had a deal with PSG for €18-20m per year. 

Personally and this is just a hunch, I believe his agent quoted Barcelona a much higher figure because there is no intention to stay. His agent merely kept them in the picture so he could put himself in the shop window. His agent (Moussa Sissoko) knows the business and what they're doing. There's been pessimism around the deal from a Barca perspective for months they're not naive they know what's happening. 

After watching him this season this is how I would summarise most peoples concerns regarding his acquisition were he to come.

On his injury record, like Pulisic this season after earlier issues in the season he's managed to stay fit for the last 6 months no real problems. He's also 24 now so he's grown more into his body and this is usually around the age some players shrug of the injury prone tag and start to find some more consistency. He looks fit and healthy, but this is a concern I understand people may have and it's the only one that I would agree with.

Regarding his physique, his body type is suited for the league despite what some may believe. There's bigger players and smaller players in the league thriving. By now most should know size isn't determinant of performance (see the Silvas, Mata and Jota) or should be used as a measurement of a players ability to adapt. 

I myself like a few on here did not rate him because of his time at Barca, his finishing was a concern for me. Yet if Tuchel wants him like we are led to believe, I will blindly back the decision no question. It's not so much goals he would be brought in to score (although this will be an area TT would work on with him). It's chance creation which is high up on the agenda.

I think the main thing this squad lacks is pace up top you look at some other top sides across Europe and pace up front is a necessity. Alongside a chief creator or two. We have the players to finish, but we don't have players that can deliver goals on a plate consistently to not just the forwards but the whole team.

Dembele is a playmaker and he's a fast one at that. We don't have someone of his skillset bar CHO, a player that will run at defenders, glide past them and stick not just a cross but a pinpoint one in. Having 3 elite crosses in Dembele, James and Chilwell could be devastating next season. Both James and Chilly can dribble as can a few in the squad but not at Dembele's speed.

Watching some of our current attackers it almost feels awkward when they try to take on a defender, I'm sure TT has identified this and wants a forward in that can open up packed defenses. 

Finally Dembele ended up the top playmaker for la liga and only really started playing in December after missing the first 4 months. He played only 41% of the total minutes possible this season. Yet despite missing half a season he managed in 4 months to be the best playmaker in their league.

Xavi has got the best out of him since Tuchel. Now he has the chance to link up with the coach who brought out a career high of 10 goals and 21 assists in the 16/17 season.

If he comes I think he may just surprise us, but if he doesn't come we have other options. Yet with an expensive squad rebuild on the horizon and the need to spend mainly to cover for defensive holes in the squad. Signing Dembele on a free represents a real coup in my opinion. He looks like he's finally ready to settle down and focus on his football and prove to the world his worth. 

 

So - he is like Jesper Gronkjear? Just a bit more expensive and temperamental

4 minutes ago, nonotnowjim said:

So - he is like Jesper Gronkjear? Just a bit more expensive and temperamental

Edit - You know what - if he is like Jesper then sign him up! I forgot how good some of these finishes were!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USjVIOMryM4

2 hours ago, dansubrosa said:

If Bayern want to sell Gnabry I’d prefer him to Dembele.

He's most likely going Madrid mate

3 hours ago, timetowaste said:

You HAVE watched our attackers haven’t you?

Yes, this is exactly why I don't want to add more of the same to our problems.

I'm sure people don't actually watch Dembele, if they did, they wouldn't want him here. In a squad full of attackers that can't score goals, why would we want to bring in a player that is even worse in that area? The guy has compilation videos on Youtube of how poor he is at shooting, that is how bad he is at it. Fans will soon be pissed at him when we need an equaliser or we need a goal at 0-0 and he is smashing a shot so wide that it ends being closer to the corner flag than the goal.

He has decent assists this season, but that seems to be more of a purple patch rather than something normal from him. He wouldn't get anywhere near the same number of assists in the Premier League, especially with the number of easy chances our lot miss and how teams set up defensively against us.

His dribbling is decent, but so was Pulisic's before Premier League defenders started getting a bit rougher with him. He won't be able to get away with being lightweight in the Premier League.

The guy has flop written all over him.

Based on his wages and signing on bonus it isn't worth it when Sterling, a proven PL player and goal scorer, is available. 

 

2 hours ago, Amputechture said:

 

Looks a lot like what we’ve got already. Could do with a mane salah style goal threat. If one of Werner Ziyech Cho pulisic goes then sure, but otherwise not sure he takes us to the next level. 

On 28/05/2022 at 17:32, Amputechture said:

 

Looks like a more developed CHO basically

1 hour ago, RIP Mourinho said:

Looks like a more developed CHO basically

Is CHO equally good with his left/right foot? Because that's what mostly differentiates Dembele from other players imho.

Edited May 30, 20224 yr by weetee

On 27/05/2022 at 16:00, Sconnie Blue said:

Based on his wages and signing on bonus it isn't worth it when Sterling, a proven PL player and goal scorer, is available. 

Why not both ?

Those two either side of Lukaku would be a pretty decent front three, and might even help get the best out of Romelu, who despite all the well-publicised problems was still our top scorer last season ... 

I'm hearing TT is looking at all our attacker's numbers and then drawing up a plan. Could this mean getting rid of those underperforming or working even closer with them to resolve the issue? Since clearly it's both a player issue and system/coaching issue. All of the attackers are underperforming bar Mount. 

Also the most important thing for those doubting Dembele, aside from his injury record this is a transfer that makes plenty of sense. Chelsea are ranked supposedly the 3rd most one footed team (not sure if that was in the prem or in the ucl but I doubt it's through the whole of Europe). Ziyech and Alonso are good examples of this.

Dembele whilst gifted with both feet is being considered for his playmaking abilities, he doesn't score that often because he prefers to assist than score. Players like these are always highly sought after, it's very hard to find selfless attackers in modern day football. 

Edit: latest update according to reports is that he's agreed terms with Chelsea along with at least PSG, Klopp is very interested and will begin tying to convince him to join. Could be viewed as a Mane replacement.

What this says to me is that despite what some may think about him. Clearly he is deemed a top player since Xavi, Klopp, Nagelsmann, Tuchel and Paris all want him. Yes it could be that as a free it represents good value for any top club, yet I find it hard to believe any of these teams would be interested purely because he's available on a free rather than because they actually rate him.

Tuchel has supposedly said to Todd he really wants him so let's wait and see.

Edited May 30, 20224 yr by LongtimerLurker

Looking at the positives:

• Great form for Barcelona since January
• Naturally two-footed
• Free
• Immensely talented
• Tuchel has worked with him before and is an admirer
• Re-sell value

Looking at the negatives:

• Rumoured to have an attitude problem
• Injury problems
• High wages
• Inconsistent form whilst at Barcelona

Overall, I'd argue the pro's outweigh the con's here, particularly given that Chelsea need to invest in multiple areas this summer and it would a free transfer. 

 

 

25 minutes ago, danpetrescu said:

Looking at the positives:

• Great form for Barcelona since January
• Naturally two-footed
• Free
• Immensely talented
• Tuchel has worked with him before and is an admirer
• Re-sell value

Looking at the negatives:

• Rumoured to have an attitude problem
• Injury problems
• High wages
• Inconsistent form whilst at Barcelona

Overall, I'd argue the pro's outweigh the con's here, particularly given that Chelsea need to invest in multiple areas this summer and it would a free transfer. 

 

I think another aspect to look at is if not Dembele, who? There is a real scarcity of realistic targets right now that I think Dembele on a free is the best deal going for us.

18 minutes ago, timetowaste said:

 

I think another aspect to look at is if not Dembele, who? There is a real scarcity of realistic targets right now that I think Dembele on a free is the best deal going for us.

Gnabry and Sterling both on last years of contract. Could both go for 30-40m

32 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Gnabry and Sterling both on last years of contract. Could both go for 30-40m

No to either of them for me... not sure why everyone raves about Gnabry..

2 hours ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Gnabry and Sterling both on last years of contract. Could both go for 30-40m

Personally I’d rather have Dembele, although given the state of our attack we could do with Dembele plus one of the two you mentioned as well.

If all else fails we could just get this guy back 😬

 

Just now, timetowaste said:

Personally I’d rather have Dembele, although given the state of our attack we could do with Dembele plus one of the two you mentioned as well.

If all else fails we could just get this guy back 😬

 

I've firmly been on the boat of replacing Lukaku, Werner, and Pulisic with Broja, Dembele, and Gnabry/Sterling. 

Could always look to snap up Johnathan David too.

I like Dembele.

A two footed talented player who can play on either wing.

We have a few players who look very uncomfortable when not put on the favourite side of the pitch.

We also need somebody who’s not afraid to take on their man and deliver a decent ball in.

Unpredictable and injury prone, yes, but I feel he’s better than what we have at the moment.

15 minutes ago, 2211 said:

I like Dembele.

A two footed talented player who can play on either wing.

We have a few players who look very uncomfortable when not put on the favourite side of the pitch.

We also need somebody who’s not afraid to take on their man and deliver a decent ball in.

Unpredictable and injury prone, yes, but I feel he’s better than what we have at the moment.

So would be playing @nonotnowjim and @just on the wings....

Wrong type of player for Chelsea. Do not want a player like him here.

On 27/05/2022 at 15:56, Scott Harris said:

Yes, this is exactly why I don't want to add more of the same to our problems.

I'm sure people don't actually watch Dembele, if they did, they wouldn't want him here. In a squad full of attackers that can't score goals, why would we want to bring in a player that is even worse in that area? The guy has compilation videos on Youtube of how poor he is at shooting, that is how bad he is at it. Fans will soon be pissed at him when we need an equaliser or we need a goal at 0-0 and he is smashing a shot so wide that it ends being closer to the corner flag than the goal.

He has decent assists this season, but that seems to be more of a purple patch rather than something normal from him. He wouldn't get anywhere near the same number of assists in the Premier League, especially with the number of easy chances our lot miss and how teams set up defensively against us.

His dribbling is decent, but so was Pulisic's before Premier League defenders started getting a bit rougher with him. He won't be able to get away with being lightweight in the Premier League.

The guy has flop written all over him.

And he breaks really easily. Always bl00dy injured