Karamoko Dembele has been linked to Everton as a possible transfer target. However, what could the erstwhile wonderkid—who was a 13-year-old reserve player for Celtic—offer the Blues?
After an outstanding loan spell at League One Blackpool, HITC reports that Everton, Nottingham Forest, and West Ham United are among the Premier League clubs hoping to recruit the 21-year-old this summer. Wolverhampton Wanderers, Fulham, and Brentford are all keeping an eye on the prospect. Dembele was born in Lambeth, South London, to Ivory Coastean parents. Before he turned one, his family relocated to Glasgow’s Govan neighbourhood, home of Rangers’ Ibrox stadium. However, Dembele was a product of Celtic, an Old Firm foe.
Soon after Brendan Rodgers was named manager, Dembele was invited to take part in a short technical training session with Celtic’s first team. However, in October 2016, just four months shy of turning 14, he made his debut for the Bhoys’ under-20 development team, making headlines. After his contract at Parkhead expired in 2022, he went on to make ten appearances in the first team for the Glasgow giants before moving on a free transfer to Breton outfit Brest.
Dembele was loaned to Blackpool this season after playing in 18 games in France. Under former Liverpool Under-18 and Under-23 coach Neil Critchley, Dembele has scored seven goals in 40 games for the Tangerines so far. At Bloomfield Road, the 5ft 7in player, who has been used largely as a right winger during his career, has been used in an attacking central midfield role.
Based on Comparisonator’s analysis of Dembele’s qualities, the Premier League’s most similar player to him is Dejan Kulusevski, with an 83% match. James Maddison of Tottenham (69%), Joao Pedro of Brighton & Hove Albion (75%), Phil Foden of Manchester City (72%), and Giovanni Lo Celso of Tottenham Hotspur (78%), round out the top four.
But how do his performances in the English third division compare to those of players already competing in the Premier League? Carrying the ball forward seems to be Dembele’s best quality.
He surpasses Premier League leader Ryan Gravenberch of Liverpool (3.87) with an average of 5.95 dribbles per ninety minutes. Bernardo Silva of Manchester City (3.75) and Ryan Christie of Bournemouth (3.65) are next in line. Dembele’s 3.88 successful dribbles per ninety minutes give him an advantage over Silva (2.35), Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle United (2.21), and John McGinn of Aston Villa (1.92). This further demonstrates the purpose of these runs.
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