France winger Ousmane Dembele has pulled out of Didier Deschamp’s squad with an injury that will keep him out for the rest of the 2020 European Championships.
The Barcelona man was a substitute in the second half of France’s recent 1-1 draw with Hungary but managed just 30 minutes before being forced off with what appeared to be an injury to his right knee.
Dembele was ruled out for France’s last group game against Portugal, but there had been some hope that he would return in time for the knockout stages.
Unfortunately, RMC Sport states that further checks on Dembele have shown that he has injured a tendon in his knee and will not be in good time to return this summer.
The latest release comes as a huge blow to Dembele, who looked to have finally shaken off his fitness problems last season with Barcelona.
Dembele ended the season in electric form / Quality Sport Images / Getty Images
The 24-year-old managed 44 matches in all competitions last year and scored 11 goals and five assists. But he played much better than these figures would suggest, and his form gave him a recall to the France installation for the first time since November 2018.
For France, losing Dembele is not the biggest problem. Deschamps does not play with wingers and has only used the Barcelona man from the bench, so his absence will only open the door to such as Bayern Munich Kingsley Coman or Borussia Monchengladbach’s Marcus Thuram – should a plan B be required.
But for Dembele himself, this new injury could hardly have come at a worse time. The winger is at something of a crossroads this summer, with his contract at Camp Nou about to enter his final year.
Dembele has left the French camp / Aurelien Meunier / Getty Images
Barcelona are keen to keep Dembele, but he is perceived to keep his options open, with Manchester City among the sides tracking him.
City manager Pep Guardiola is reportedly in control of a swap deal that could give both Dembele and Sergi Roberto to Etihad, with seven players from City’s squad in place in exchange.
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