Fans of Barcelona have sent an honorable request to Ernesto Valverde to consider following Dembele's performance against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday. The 21-year-old winger replaced Brazilian midfielder Rafinha in the 52nd minute and saw his side trail by a goal five minutes later via Alvaro Garcia.
With Barcelona struggling to get past the bullish host, the impact of the former Borussia Dortmund prodigy was felt three minutes away from the 90th-minute mark. The World Cup winner smashed home a ball which bounced off the chest of Gerard Pique inside Valladolid's penalty area to tie the game at 2-2, setting the comeback in motion.
Fresh from the hat-trick against Real Madrid, Luis Suarez – who struck first for Barcelona – then added the deciding goal three minutes later. As a result, the Uruguayan forward moved to the top of the Pichichi chart with nine goals after 11 La Liga matches.
For Ousmane Dembele, the goal boosted his reputation as the savior of Ernesto Valverde's side in moments of need in recent weeks. Despite failing to break into Barcelona's starting eleven, the French winger has so far contributed four goals in11 matches across all competitions this season.
While some fans acknowledge the Dembele's inconsistency, many also believe he has done enough to merit a starting berth from Valverde. Below are the reactions of some fans following the young forward's exploit in Saturday night's game:
Dembele was in good form scoring goals and all of a sudden Valverde decides to pick Rafinha over him.
— Blackchrome (@Bc_blackchrome) November 3, 2018
Great comeback tonight. Suarez and Dembele once again save Valverde his substitution mistakes.
— Helix Odhiambo (@HelixOdhiambo) November 3, 2018
Still on top.
#RayoBarça #LaLiga pic.twitter.com/xWZiqAOzxm
In these games it's so obvious that we need a pacey winger, but neither Dembélé or Malcom is starting.
— Sᴇʀɢɪ's (@Robertonical) November 3, 2018
I just can't figure out anymore whether it's Valverde's cowardice, bad decision making or just his bizzare 'development' technique for new young players.
Dembélé once again being decisive and presented tactical flexibility coming off from the bench. The fact that Valverde decided to play Rafinha instead a pure winger in Dembélé, at the right wing indicates how tactically inept Valverde is.
— ∞ (@BusquetsLegacy) November 3, 2018
Malcom not in the squad again is a disgrace and a mistake from Valverde. Dembélé not starting and Rafinha getting chosen before him is ridiculous as well.
— Barça (@SocialBarca_10) November 3, 2018
Addressing reporters after the win, Ernesto Valverde commended Dembele for his effort after coming on from the bench.
"He gives us a lot in the final third, he is great in 1 on 1, we are expecting a lot from him.
"He scored a goal and helped us win the match."
