Ousmane Dembele backed to seal Thomas Tuchel reunion after Chelsea development – pundit
Noel Whelan has suggested Thomas Tuchel could get the best out of Ousmane Dembele yet again if he brings him to Chelsea this summer.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 25-year-old would be well-suited to the style of play currently employed by the German at Stamford Bridge.
According to Spanish outlet Sport (5 June), Paris Saint-Germain have pulled out of the race to sign Dembele this summer as his Barcelona contract enters its final month.
The report claims Chelsea have offered the France international a four-year deal but are yet to meet the winger’s demands.
Dembele notched 10 goals and 22 assists during the 2016-17 season under Tuchel’s stewardship at Dortmund.
Whelan claimed the German may be convinced that he can help the winger recapture his best form.
“We see it a lot,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“Managers going in for players who they know, they’ve worked with, and have trust in.
“It might not have been the smoothest ride for him at Barcelona, but Tuchel knows there’s a player in there.
“He might be convinced that he can get the best out of him again.
“There has to be that trust. To me, I think he’s more of a Chelsea signing with the style of play they currently have in place.
“If anyone can get the best out of him again, it’s Tuchel.”
Dembele, who cost Barcelona a reported initial fee of £96.8million in 2017, notched 13 assists during the 2021-22 season.
His creative haul was the best of any player in Spain’s top flight.
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