Ronald Koeman does not know when Ousmane Dembélé will be available for Barcelona again. The attacker underwent surgery on his knee in June and has not played for the Spanish top club this season. In the meantime, work is being done behind the scenes on a possible agreement on a longer cooperation, as the current contract of the 24-year-old French international is already coming to an end next summer.
“Ousmane is doing well in training,” Koeman said the day before the home game against Valencia in LaLiga. “But he still needs time. He participates in parts of training, but there are still things in which he needs to improve. It is difficult to say whether he will be back in the Clásico. We have to wait and see for the next few days.” Barcelona will play in the Champions League against Dynamo Kiev next Wednesday and next Sunday the third home game in a row awaits when Real Madrid comes to visit.
Koeman did not want to say anything about Dembélé’s contract situation. “That’s a matter for the club.” President Joan Laporta showed up on Friday Sport know that talks are taking place with Dembele’s agent and that the attacker himself wants to stay at Barcelona. Whether Ansu Fati will start against Valencia in the base, Koeman left in the middle. “We will determine that tomorrow. He’s getting stronger because he’s been out for a long time. We must not forget that three games in a week will be too much for him. He cannot play three complete games because he has been absent for a long time.”
“We have to see what is best for Ansu and for Barcelona.” With Fati and Sergio Aguero, who made his unofficial debut last week, Koeman has more attacking opportunities up front. “He made good progress. He played 20 to 25 minutes against Cornellà. He has to get physically stronger and he will have to earn his place as soon as he comes on the field. There is a chance that he will be part of tomorrow’s match selection. I have no doubts about his qualities in and around the penalty area, but it is important that he is in good physical shape.”
Koeman is no longer concerned about his position after Laporta expressed confidence in him. “I don’t want to talk about the past anymore. It’s not important anymore. Everyone knows good and difficult times. I’ve gotten used to people talking about my position. I don’t worry about it anymore. It is also not the first time, because last year there was also talk about the coach. The chairman supported me and made things clear.”
“Of course every coach has to keep winning games to be able to continue,” said Koeman. “But now I mainly want to put energy into improving our game and focus on things that I can influence. That is much more important than my feeling. I try to do the best for the club.”
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