On the eve of the Champions League round of 16 second leg against Chelsea, Ousmane Dembélé appeared before the media on Monday. With the advantage gained in the first leg (5-2), PSG approaches this London shock with solid certainties. If the 2025 Ballon d’Or swept the sporting news of the capital club, justifying in particular its recent bloodshed in the locker room, it was above all its evasive response on a hot topic behind the scenes which held the full attention of the audience.
Dembélé maintains total vagueness on his extension
While discussions are accelerating internally to shield several executives, the case of the French international tenses observers. Asked about his future, the striker refused to definitively link his destiny to that of the Ile-de-France club. If he concedes that there is “no reason that would push me not to extend”he immediately threw the ball back into the court of his representatives. “Contract issues have always been like that during my career, it’s not me who makes the decisions. It’s between the club and my agent.”he decided. A statement loaded with meaning as his agent, Moussa Sissoko, reportedly recently spoke with the management of Manchester City, raising the specter of a departure if the financial demands of the Dembélé clan are not met.
A totally assumed rant
Beyond his contract, the former Barcelona player returned to his strong criticism of his teammates after the defeat in Rennes (1-3). Far from turning back, he fully embraces this questioning of the collective. “I don’t regret it at all, that’s the only way PSG can win,” he said. Ensuring that there was no “no argument” and the group quickly “says things”he fully dons his leadership costume.
“The coach asks us to be professional and set an example. I have a little more experience and I try to show the young and the old, detailed the one which requires putting the Parisian institution before individuals.
The obsession with reaching the summits
Despite a season interrupted by a few physical glitches, “Dembouz” displays a fierce hunger. His personal objective is clear: to once again become the unplayable player who lifted the Ballon d’Or a few months ago. “I want to get back to my level, score, be decisive, make assists”he insisted. An individual ambition which puts itself at the service of an intact collective dream. The Parisian winger says to himself “very motivated » and driven by a single obsession: “win a new title with PSG, like the Champions League. »
Maximum vigilance against the Blues
To achieve this, you will first have to validate the ticket for the quarter-finals at Stamford Bridge. If the resounding success of the first leg (5-2) offers a comfortable mattress, Dembélé refuses any relaxation. “ In football, it’s a story of trust.” he recalled, emphasizing that the fourth Parisian goal in the first round did a lot of good for the heads. But faced with a
“big club” like Chelsea, caution remains in order. “We will have to stay focused, because it’s not over yet,” concluded the Parisian number 10, ready to do battle in London.
