Valverde insists Dembele can be replaced as player is confined to wheelchair

Barcelona manager, Ernesto Valverde, is adamant they have enough quality in the squad, to replace Ousmane Dembele, after the club’s record signing was wheeled off for surgery in Finland.

Dembele was forced to leave the field during Barca’s 2-1 win over Getafe on Saturday, after suffering a hamstring injury and is expected to be sidelined for up to four months.

The 20-year-old is set to undergo surgery in Helsinki on Tuesday and was pictured being taking out in a wheelchair at Barcelona airport by his brother, as they were transported by van to the runway.

Despite his absence, Valverde is convinced he has enough players who can step into his position.

“We have various players, (Gerard) Deulofeu, Aleix Vidal, Denis (Suarez), Andre (Gomes)…we will look for alternatives to play in the first XI. We will also take Barca B into account,” he stated.

Valverde also suggested Dembele would have avoided the injury, if he was more experienced.

“He’s a player who has never had a muscular problem, he has no experience of recognising when you have a small niggle.

“To do a back-heel is the worst, the most aggressive, thing you can do to the hamstring. It’s not normal but it can happen. A more experienced player maybe would have let the ball go out,” he added.