I won’t run away from Barca ―Dembele

Ernesto Valverde chose to leave Ousmane Dembele on the bench yet again on Saturday, but the player confirmed he won’t leave after just one year.

Los Cules made the French international their record signing following Neymar’s departure, although an early injury put paid to any hopes of Dembele hitting the ground running.

“I’m not going to leave after just one season,” he explained in an interview with Telefoot.

“I signed a five-year contract with Barcelona.

“I’ll be here for a long time.”

There have been glimpses of his ability, and when the 20-year-old has been given the chance he’s added real width to the Blaugrana’s attacking moves, the highlight being his performance against Chelsea in the Champions League.

“I’m not at the top of my game right now,” he admitted.

“Little by little, I will return to my best.

“I’m working on my cardio, because I get tired very quickly.”

The deal cost Barcelona an initial 105 million euros with a further 33 million coming in the form of bonus payments.

This is an incredible outlay for a player who hasn’t been able to cement a first team place, although this may well change in the 2018/19 season.

Despite the Catalan club’s immense domestic campaign, Valverde is under significant pressure following the humiliating Champions League exit at the hands of Roma.

If the Spaniard is still in place next term, there could well be a demand that his team becomes more attacking, and to do this the 4-4-2 formation must be dispensed with and a return to 4-3-3 would instantly create a place for Dembele.

The former Stade Rennes winger himself is determined to succeed in La Liga, he’s made clear he’s living very comfortably, although he’s rejected suggestions his fitness issues have stemmed from an unhealthy lifestyle.

“In Barcelona I’ve had a better lifestyle than in Dortmund,” he intimated.

“I didn’t have a healthy lifestyle in Germany and I didn’t get injured.

“So it’s not because of that.”