Dembele is a puzzle that I have yet to solve as an armchair scout. He has all the ability in the world, but still leaves me scratching my head as to where he fits in the team.
Is he a DM?
He lacks the defensive abilities to be a complete DM like Wanyama, but his ball carrying skills are perfectly suited for the role of the player that takes the ball off the back 2 or 3. A DM in the offensive sense is everything Dembele is: comfortable under pressure, a good passer at short lengths to link play, and has the ability to beat a press from deep. The defensive part is where he lacks and thus isn't a true DM. Vic has him beat in every defensive category and is thus the better option.
Is he a B2B Mid?
This may be his most natural position as he again can beat people and break the lines with the ball at his feet. He can receive the ball under pressure. He is an outlet players are confident in finding when looking for pass in the middle third. His defensive contribution is pretty decent in this area as he uses his burst and strength to win balls against other B2B mids that are attempting to start their attacks. But where he falls short, and drastically short is with his ability to release the ball quickly. The great B2B mids move the ball by passing and cutting the lines. Moose just can't do this. Our best option as of now is Winks.
Is he an AM/Front 3?
When Dele first got on the pitch there were a couple games where Dembele played up the field and for me that is where most of his strengths shine. He is an incredible presser and when unleashed up field he is able to win the ball back closer to the goal and use his dribbling ability to get into the box. He started out as a striker and continued to move further back as time went on. But for me he is a quicker thinker when he is forced to stay up the pitch and purely look at the goal verse 3/4's of the pitch. With less space in front of him, he is forced to make quicker decisions. Is he the best option we have up front? No, but I think this is where his strengths are most utilized.
That is my armchair analysis. I have been saying for years that he gets lost in the midfield and hampers our ability to move the ball quickly. This is just my take as I know this isn't the popular opinion on these boards. He is one hell of a talent, but I feel he is best suited up the pitch where his mental checklist is shortened.
@dontsalebale why spam this out of curiosity? Is it clickbait? Is it sensationalized? If you disagree click the disagree rating, but I don't see how this is Spamming the thread when it is an opinion.
I agree with you summary and am surprised he has not been tried in the AM position and actually think in some games he could be swapped with Eriksen who would gain more space from playing deeper.