Barcelona forward a top candidate for club captaincy for the upcoming season

Ousmane Dembele will be entering his seventh season as a Barcelona player in 2023/24. The 26-year-old arrived at the club back in 2017, as a replacement for Neymar who had left for PSG in a world-record deal.

Barça spent over €100 million to sign Dembele but the winger has not had it easy during his time in Catalonia. Despite his obvious qualities, the Frenchman had been held back by injuries that have stopped him from reaching the heights expected.

But, over the past 18 months or so, things have improved significantly under the tutelage of Xavi Hernandez. Dembele has grown into an important player at Barça and was pivotal to their success last season.

And now, heading into the 2023/24 campaign, SPORT is reporting that the 26-year-old attacker is a ‘top candidate’ for club captaincy.

With Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets leaving the club, two of the four captaincy slots have become vacant at Barcelona, with Sergi Roberto and Marc-Andre ter Stegen occupying the other two positions.

With Xavi confirming a vote will be taken to decide the captains for the next season, Roberto and ter Stegen are expected to retain their roles.

It had been suggested that Ronald Araujo and Robert Lewandowski were frontrunners for the remaining two slots in the leadership group.

But, Dembele has also emerged as a serious contender due to his importance in the team, maturity, and drive to succeed at the club.

The 26-year-old is keen on continuing his partnership with Barça and is looking to renew his contract despite interest from PSG. Manager Xavi is pleased with his involvement and contributions and he is well-liked in the dressing room.

Being one of the most senior members in the current squad – only Roberto and ter Stegen have been at the club longer than him – Dembele is now seen as someone who can don the leadership responsibilities.