Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde has confirmed that Summer signing Ousmane Dembele will not be available for selection ahead of next weekend’s first Clasico of the season.
The French International who is the second most expensive footballer ever was a 135 million Pounds purchase from Borrussia Dortmund in the just past off-season and was brought in as a direct replacement for Brazilian forward Neymar following his 198 million Pounds move to Paris St Germain–the only transfer fee to dwarf the Frenchman’s.
The winger’s bedding in period was cut short as he ruptured a tendon in a match against Getafe in September and had been expected to be out of action for at least four months. But forward returned to training last week, several months ahead of schedule, leading to speculation that he could be available for the crucial trip to Real Madrid on Dec. 23.
Barcelona coach Valverde has,however, come out to debunk the rumours. When asked about the 20 year old in a news conference the former Atletico Bilbao gaffer said there was no need to rush the club’s record signing into action and said the 7 cap France International will not be an option until at least January when he’s expected to regain full fitness.
The 52 year old manager is quoted to have said about Dembele,”He has been doing a lot more with the group this week, but he hasn’t completed a full training session yet,”
“Next week we will increase his workload, but the plan is the same as before. January is when we hope he will come back.
“It would be premature — risky, even — to bring him back [early]. Our idea at the moment is to leave it until January.”
First place Barcelona will make the trip to the Bernabeu to face fourth placed Madrid in the season’s first Clasico. The Blaugrana’s who play host to Deportivo La Coruna at the Camp Nou on Sunday,will be hoping to go into the match still holding an 8 point cushion over their arch rivals who pipped them to the title last season for the first time in over 5 years.
With the media already dragging attention to the fixture, Valverde remains adamant that his players have not been distracted by the looming Madrid clash.
“No, the Clasico is not affecting the players,” he added. “They’re worried about Sunday’s game.
“We know we have a week after to then think about the Clasico , so by no means are we distracted by the Clasico .”
Two of Barcelona keys players will be walking a disciplinary tight rope in the Camp Nou duel with Depor on Sunday. Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez are a booking away from a suspension and would miss the trip to Madrid if they were to get a yellow card in the game.
Valverde said that was something “to have in mind” but did not confirm whether it would influence his team selection.
He was adamant that he would not underestimate Depor, who have shown signs of improvement under new coach Cristobal Parralo, as Barca look to extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to 24 games.