Ousmane Dembélé, 27, won the UNFP trophy for Ligue 1’s best player on Sunday evening. Speaking to beIN SPORTS, he thanked his staff and team-mates for helping him this season, while acknowledging that his position in the center of the park had changed almost everything. He also spoke of the two finals that Paris Saint-Germain have to play between now and May 31.
Dembélé “I’m happy, I’m super happy”.
Do you have the best trophy of the evening?
Yes, it’s not bad, good evening to you all. It’s true that it’s not a bad trophy. Last year, I arrived and left empty-handed. Kylian, he’s taken it all again. I’m happy that people voted me best player.
Frankly, it’s thanks to them that I was voted best player, because they’ve helped me enormously. I’m really happy. Now at Paris Saint-Germain, there are three weeks left to stay focused. We’ve got something big to play for, and we’re going to give it everything we’ve got to win the Champions League.
And what about the French Cup final?
Right, right, sorry. It’s true, step by step, we have to win the French Cup final first.
Dembélé “It’s true that my position as number 9 in the middle helps me a lot”.
Have you turned a corner this year? Do you feel it?
Yes, clearly, the way I play. As I say very clearly, it’s the team, the players and the staff at Paris Saint-Germain who have helped me every day, and I’m blossoming in this team, learning day by day.
It’s true that the position of number 9 in the middle helps me a lot. I’m happy with what I’m doing at Paris Saint-Germain, and we need to keep going if we’re to win the French Cup, the Champions League and all the other trophies that are coming our way.
Everyone has noticed your influence on the game, and now you’ve got the statistics. If you had to choose, what would it be?
Both, I’ll say both. It’s true that I was a sideline player. I used to dribble and try to make a difference, and it’s true that with this slightly more central position, I’m more at the heart of the game and I’m more in front of goal too, which helps me score and be more decisive in the box. I’m happy in this position and I try to help the team as much as I can.
Has the coach heard your message?
Yes, because the coach always puts me on the right (laughs).
