Ousmane Dembélé’s journey in football has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows, particularly during his time at Barcelona from 2017 to 2023. Despite being touted as a potential successor to Neymar, Dembélé’s performance metrics tell a different story. Over six seasons with Barcelona, he averaged 0.69 non-penalty goals plus assists per 90 minutes—a figure that falls short of Neymar’s average of 0.85 and is nowhere near Lionel Messi’s prolific output.
During his tenure at Barcelona, Dembélé managed to score just 24 goals and provide 34 assists in competitive matches—far less than Neymar’s impressive tally of 68 goals and 35 assists during his four seasons with the club. This was particularly disappointing given that these were considered some of Dembélé’s peak years; he was expected to improve but instead seemed to regress.
In the summer of 2023, after Neymar left PSG for a lucrative deal in Saudi Arabia, Dembélé made the move back to France for €50 million. His initial season at PSG saw him contributing modestly with three goals and eight assists in Ligue 1 across about 1,500 minutes.
However, things took a turn when Kylian Mbappé departed for Real Madrid mid-season. This shift allowed Luis Enrique to experiment with Dembélé’s positioning on the field—transforming him into a center forward role where he thrived spectacularly.
Since January of this year (2025), Dembélé has emerged as one of Europe’s most formidable players, scoring an astonishing number of non-penalty goals while maintaining his playmaking abilities. He has recorded significant contributions both offensively—leading all players in goal-scoring—and defensively by pressing effectively against opponents.
Dembélé’s versatility is noteworthy; while often labeled as a “false nine,” he combines elements typical of both traditional strikers and deeper playmakers by not only facilitating plays but also making incisive runs into the box himself—a dual threat that few can match.
His recent performances have led many analysts—including Ryan O’Hanlon—to declare him among the best players globally right now due to his unique skill set: dribbling past defenders effortlessly while also contributing significantly on defense through pressing actions.
As we look ahead, questions remain about whether this level can be sustained long-term given past inconsistencies throughout his career—but for now, Ousmane Dembélé stands out as one who has finally begun fulfilling the immense promise shown since his teenage years at Rennes.Ousmane Dembélé’s journey through his time at Barcelona and his subsequent performance at PSG highlights a significant evolution in his playing style and effectiveness on the pitch.
During his six years with Barcelona from 2017 to 2023, Dembélé faced challenges that limited his impact. He played only 44% of the available minutes, which significantly affected his goal contributions. Over this period, he managed to score 24 goals and provide 34 assists, averaging just 0.69 non-penalty goals plus assists per 90 minutes—lower than Neymar’s average of 0.85 during his time at the club.
After moving to PSG for €50 million in the summer of 2023, Dembélé initially struggled with similar issues: limited playing time and modest output (three goals and eight assists in Ligue 1 across about 1,500 minutes). However, a pivotal change occurred when Kylian Mbappé left for Real Madrid and Luis Enrique shifted Dembélé into a center forward role midway through the season.
This tactical adjustment unleashed Dembélé’s potential; since January of that year, he has scored an impressive number of non-penalty goals—18 across all competitions—making him one of Europe’s top performers during that stretch. His ability to drop deep for playmaking while also making runs into the box has redefined him as both a traditional striker and a false nine.
Dembélé’s recent performances have showcased not only prolific scoring but also strong contributions in terms of passing into dangerous areas (43 passes into the penalty area) and successful dribbles (30 take-ons), placing him among Europe’s elite players this season.
while Dembélé’s early career was marred by injuries and inconsistent form at Barcelona, recent developments at PSG have highlighted his versatility as an attacker capable of excelling both as a scorer and playmaker—a transformation that positions him among football’s best talents today.Ousmane Dembélé’s journey in football has been a rollercoaster ride, marked by immense talent and potential, but also plagued by injuries and inconsistent performances. Initially signed by Barcelona for a staggering €135 million as a replacement for Neymar, Dembélé was seen as one of the brightest young talents in the world. His ability to dribble, pass, and score made him a coveted player at just 20 years old.
However, his time at Barcelona was marred by injuries; he played only 44% of available minutes during his six-year stint with the club. Despite this limited playing time, he managed to contribute with 24 goals and 34 assists across all competitions. Comparatively, Neymar had significantly higher goal contributions during his tenure at Barcelona.
In 2023, after leaving Barcelona for PSG for €50 million following Neymar’s departure to Saudi Arabia, Dembélé experienced a resurgence under coach Luis Enrique. Transitioning into a center-forward role allowed him to thrive; since January 2025 alone, he scored an impressive number of non-penalty goals while maintaining his playmaking abilities.
Dembélé’s versatility is noteworthy—he can drop deep to facilitate play while also making runs into the box. This dual capability has made him one of Europe’s most effective players in recent months. His pressing work rate has also been exceptional; during crucial matches against Liverpool in the Champions League knockout stages, he showcased both offensive prowess and defensive commitment.
As of early 2025, many consider Dembélé among the best players globally due to his scoring ability combined with significant contributions in build-up play and pressing defense—a combination that few can match today. The question remains whether he can sustain this level of performance over an extended period given his history with injuries but for now, he’s enjoying what could be considered the peak form of his career.
