With French sports-focused newspaper L’Equipe hailing Celtic youngster Karamoko Dembele as one of their six outstanding young players set to revolutionise the game, Hoops supporters have been reacting online by sharing their expectations of what the future has in store for the winger.
L’Equipe included Dembele in their six rising stars alongside FC Barcelona’s Ansu Fati, Sporting CP’s Joelson Fernandes, Inter Milan’s Sebastiano Esposito, PSV Eindhoven’s Mohamed Ihattaren, and Red Bull Salzburg’s Karim Adeyemi.
The French outlet hailed Dembele as being destined for a ‘great career’ as he is an agile and vivid forward but suggested questions will remain over his true potential given some of his career decisions to date.
Dembele is still yet to commit his international allegiance to either England or Scotland, for whom he has represented at various youth levels, and could yet opt to play for Ivory Coast (TransferMarkt).
London-born Dembele joined Celtic aged ten in 2013 (Football-wonderkids), and began training with the first-team in 2016 after being named as the Player of the Tournament for the 2016 St Kevin’s Boys Academy Cup.
The forward later penned his first professional terms in December 2018, in a deal which keeps him contracted to Celtic until the summer of 2021, and made his first-team debut the following May against Hearts.
Dembele is yet to add to his sole first-team outing, but Hoops fans are already convinced that L’Equipe are right in thinking the 16-year-old is on course for a ‘great career’.
Here are some of the reactions shared:
They are not wrong
— gary mac (@garyjohnmcnally) October 10, 2019
Wayne Rooney was good enough to play for Everton in the EPL at 16 years of age. There’s no reason why Dembele can’t be developed at Celtic. It’s the management & coaching staff’s job to make sure that can happen
— Garry (@MaestroMcStay) October 10, 2019
While some Celtic supporters would like to see Dembele’s talents develop in-house, some fans have reacted to L’Equipe’s praise by posing the question over whether or not it would be more beneficial for the winger if Neil Lennon were to send him out on loan.
Jack Aitchison, who became Celtic’s youngest player to appear in a competitive game in 2016 (Telegraph), has enjoyed temporary spells away from Celtic since his senior Hoops debut, and is currently with English League Two side Forest Green Rovers, where he has scored once and assisted twice in six outings (WhoScored).
One fan also pointed to the competition Dembele faces in earning more senior minutes, with 32-year-old Jonny Hayes an option Lennon has called on ten times this term across all competitions (TransferMarkt).
Not as good as Johnny Hayes though ?
— Smilin’ Warrior (@Lucky_Hamilton) October 11, 2019
Would loaning him out be good development for him?
— Graeme McLaren (@biggbo100) October 10, 2019
I’d rather try and develop him more at the Club just now – but saying that a years loan didn’t harm McGregor and is working so far for Jack Aitchison. I just hope we get to see Dembele play and win some trophies in a Celtic shirt before inevitably being sold.
— Josh. (@JoshT_88) October 10, 2019
Dembele’s talents have made the youngster highly sought-after, though, with Borussia Dortmund the latest big-name club to be credited with an interest in the Hoops’ wonderkid.
According to German publication Bild (via Evening Times), Lucien Favre’s Dortmund are tracking the 16-year-old’s development, and have joined Arsenal, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain in doing so after being impressed by his pace and trickery.
Celtic fans seemingly doubt it will be long before the forward moves on from Scottish football, and one has suggested he must be given a chance under Lennon to prolong his eventual departure for as long as possible.
Needs 2 b given a chance in line-up r we will lose him ???
— p.mcgarrigan-celtic.f.c.?????? (@p_mc_garrigan67) October 10, 2019
He could very well be another Islam Feruz…
One thing is for sure, young Dembele won’t be at Celtic F.C. for much longer…
— Jamers (@Jamers42589239) October 10, 2019
The fact we’ve only got this boy signed up until the end of next season is criminal, should be pulling out all the stops just now on a long term deal.
— ???? ???? ?????? (@Full_blast) October 10, 2019
Already saw man UTD and arsenal put in offers
— Adz ?? (@Adz_Plays88) October 10, 2019