Being said to be “similar to Lionel Messi” can be both a blessing and a curse.
Karamoko Dembele is well aware of what it feels like to carry that moniker on his shoulders. When the former England youth international created history in 2016 at Scottish powerhouses Celtic, he was compared to the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Dembele made his Celtic U20 debut at the young age of 13. Although it was a tremendous accomplishment, the winger is still awaiting the start of his professional career. He is now 20 and has just finished a season-long loan at League One club Blackpool.
When he transferred from local amateur team Park Villa to Celtic’s academy in 2013, Dembele began his trip from Glasgow to the coast. He was Ivorian-born in London and moved to Scotland before turning one, making him a citizen of three countries.
Dembele’s record-breaking appearance for the U20s three years ago helped him establish himself at Celtic. While some fans were shocked by his accomplishment, David Feeney, who was his Park Villa coach, was not in the least astonished.
He reminds me a lot of Lionel Messi, said Feeney, according to the Daily Record. “The sky is the limit for him if he has the correct direction and stays at Celtic. I genuinely think he can succeed and develop into a fantastic player. I have never worked with a young player better than him.
Dembele kept moving up the ranks of Celtic swiftly. At just 16 years old, he made his first-team debut in May 2019 and impressed boss Neil Lennon. He is the kind of player Celtic needs, according to Lennon.
“His knowledge of football moves the fans to their feet. It’s important to keep it under wraps, but it’s nice that the fans got a sneak peek at what’s to come. I had no qualms about giving him 45 minutes because he has been practicing with the first team.
As England and Scotland competed to sign Dembele, he was soon linked to teams like Manchester City and Chelsea. His international future remained uncertain as he went on to represent both nations at the youth level.
However, Dembele didn’t advance as swiftly as anticipated. He struggled to play regularly for the first squad and was out for eight months after breaking his ankle in the summer of 2021. He came back just as his contract was about to expire.
In June 2022, he left Celtic, leaving supporters to speculate about what may have been. But when one door shut, another one opened, as French team Brest extended a four-year contract to Dembele. The young player had a fantastic opportunity because Brest played in Ligue 1.
The first year Dembele spent with his new team didn’t exactly go as planned. Despite making 17 appearances across all competitions, he only started one game and did not provide a goal or an assist. Brest determined that loaning him out was the wisest course of action.
Blackpool stepped in at that point. Dembele made his League One debut last Saturday against Wycombe for the Tangerines, who were relegated from the Championship last season. Dembele was acquired by the Tangerines at the conclusion of the summer transfer window.
“I’ve had some good moments at Celtic and Brest, and those experiences have helped me develop as a person and a player,” stated Dembele. I enjoy adding energy and enjoyment to the field, and I’m hoping to help the squad out with goals and assists.
He has to take that action. Dembele must demonstrate he has what it takes to stay in professional football if Blackpool is to give him the chance to play regularly for the first team. This season might be his breakout one if he can stay healthy.
Join our brand-new WhatsApp group! To get your daily dose of Mirror Football material, click this link. Additionally, we give our neighbors exclusive deals, promotions, and advertisements from us and our business associates.
