Back to the Soccer Newsfeed

Valverde Hails 'Step Forward' for Dembele & Insists Winger Has Place in Team After Malaga Win

The Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde was quick to praise 20-year-old winger Ousmane Dembele after his team breezed past relegation-threatened Málaga 0-2 at La Rosaleda on Saturday evening.

After a string of injuries and a difficult time adapting to his new surroundings Valverde was impressed with the youngsters progress and his display against the league strugglers.

Valverde commented on Dembele's hard work behind the scenes, via Marca: "The thing about Dembele is that he always tries, he has a place here.

"He's a player who needs time, he's young and had injuries, there is pressure on him.