Ousmane Dembélé is in the midst of an exceptional season, which has yet to be crowned with the French Cup and Champions League finals to come. However, the 28-year-old Paris Saint-Germain striker was interviewed on FIFA’s official website.
Dembélé “The biggest goal is to win titles with Paris Saint-Germain.”
“On a personal level, how do you explain your progress and what’s your next big goal?
As I’ve said often enough, it’s more a question of teamwork. The team helps me enormously in scoring goals and making assists. We’re making progress from match to match, and I think that [if] my season [is successful], it’s also thanks to the team.
It’s thanks to the team that I’m in this shape. My biggest objective is to win titles with Paris Saint-Germain. Individual titles are just a bonus for me.
Dembélé “The coach has always been confident.
How do you feel about the efficiency you’ve shown since being repositioned as center-forward this winter? Do you feel you’ve reached your peak?
I don’t know if I’m at my peak, I think I can still improve and so can the team. But, yes, I feel I’m having a good season, I’m much more decisive. That’s down to my repositioning.
To what extent do you owe this metamorphosis to your coach Luis Enrique?
The coach has always had confidence [in me] since the day I arrived at Paris Saint-Germain. We spoke on the phone before I signed for the club. He told me what he wanted to do with me as a player. I have all his confidence and I try to give it back to him on the pitch.”
Dembélé shows once again why he is an excellent leader for PSG. He’s had an exceptional season, and many people are putting him forward, but he avoids the pedestal. The striker always comes back to the collective, as much for the merit as for the objectives ahead. Not to mention the help of his coach.
A superb mentality that may have been lacking at times in Paris, or at times in soccer. We see observers, fans and even governing bodies who insist on singling out a particular player. But this is a team sport. Nothing can be achieved alone.
PSG’s number 10 is well aware of this and remains focused on the team. This way, everyone will be in the best conditions, including himself. Helping each other pushes everyone to the top. Of course, his daily efforts to improve count for something. But he also points out that his team-mates have helped put him in the right positions. Let’s hope this continues, as PSG still have great things to achieve.
