One of Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique’s major choices this season has been to place Ousmane Dembélé at the heart of the attack, whereas he had previously been used mainly as a winger (and sometimes as a false 9, with the same coach). The 28-year-old spoke to France Football about his preferred role.
Dembélé “I’m someone who adapts very quickly”.
“I really enjoy playing as a number 9. There have been matches where I’ve played as a pure 9, at the back of the defender, where all I cared about was getting in front of goal.
There have also been a lot of games, especially in the last two months, where I’ve played as a 9, dropping back in the middle to create a surplus of space. I really like both roles, and I can alternate between them. I’m someone who adapts very quickly.
Dembélé “It’s a lot easier”.
I’ve been in this position since I started out as a professional. When I touch the ball in this position, I only have to eliminate one or two players before I can score or have someone score. On the right, as a winger, you sometimes have to get past your opposite number, the left-back, the midfielder coming at you, the central defender… You get in front of goal and you’re not thinking straight. So it’s a lot easier for me when I play in the middle.
Dembélé is still capable of playing on the flank, as he sometimes does for PSG and as he clearly still does for the French national team, but he undeniably thrives in the center of the park. He particularly appreciates being “quickly” in a position to be decisive. This makes him particularly formidable, with a talent for dribbling, but also the ability to be a decisive passer or goalscorer. All with a certain ease of movement in both feet. All of which makes him a terrible blocker for any defense.
It’s easy to see why he’s so happy in such a role, where he never forgets to do the defensive work to help his team. His fast runs put pressure on his team-mates, enabling the whole team to be more effective.
It’s a fine achievement by coach Luis Enrique. It’s an idea that was much maligned at the outset by the “specialists” in France and by certain supporters. Hopefully, this will bring a little more perspective when it comes to judging a coach’s choices.
