Steve Nicol has warned Liverpool against signing reported target Ousmane Dembele after the Frenchman picked up a fresh hamstring injury.
The former Borussia Dortmund sensation has to be the unluckiest player in the world when it comes to injuries and only Naby Keita at Anfield can rival him.
Since joining the Catalonians for a fee reported to be worth £135.5million, Dembele has missed 671 days through injury. With his contract running down, he has been linked with Liverpool.
Mundo Deportivo reported in October that “Jurgen Klopp is in love” with the winger but former Red, Steve Nicol, has warned Liverpool against signing him.
“On his day? Which days are we talking about here? I can’t remember a day. This is a bust,” said the Liverpool legend.
“In my opinion, he has done absolutely nothing since he went to Barcelona.
“So why would you give this guy a contract worth millions when you could give it to somebody else who looks as though they might be better a professional and actually cares.
“Because the impression I get is that he is not a great professional and he doesn’t really seem to look as though he cares.”
I disagree with Nicol. There is no reason to suggest that Dembele isn’t professional as at this point. It is clear that his injuries are likely genetic, and no amount of professionalism will prevent him from suffering regular muscle injuries.
Liverpool should not sign him. That much Nicol has right, but Dembele is a victim of his body’s inability to avoid injury and, much like with Daniel Sturridge and Naby Keita, you have to accept that some players aren’t built like other athletes.
Dembele is blessed with incredible ability but he won’t be joining Liverpool anytime soon.
I’m sure that Jurgen Klopp would have been more than aware of his injuries woes, which is likely why the Reds haven’t made a formal move for him in the first place.
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