For the latest from the pitch sign up for our football newsletter
Thank you for subscribing!
For the latest from the pitch sign up for our football newsletter
We have more newsletters
Celtic's former young prodigy Karamoko Dembele, often dubbed 'the next Lionel Messi', is rebuilding his career in League One.
Dembele, who was once compared to the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner, made history at Celtic in 2016 when he debuted for their U20 side at just 13 years old. Now 20, Dembele is spending a season-long loan at Blackpool, hoping to ignite his professional career.
His journey began when he joined Celtic's academy from local amateur side Park Villa in 2013. Born in London to Ivorian parents and moved to Scotland before his first birthday, he's eligible to play for three nations.
READ MORE: Lionel Messi's shambles tour of China with Inter Miami sees gutted fans miss out
READ MORE: Celtic score 'liquid football' goal vs Atletico Madrid in Champions League as fans in awe
Dembele quickly made a name for himself at Celtic with his record-breaking U20s appearance. David Feeney, his coach at Park Villa, wasn't surprised, telling the Daily Record, via the Mirror's report: "He is very similar to Lionel Messi. If he has the right guidance and stays at Celtic then the sky is the limit for him. I honestly believe he can go all the way and be a great player… He's the best young player I have ever worked with."
Dembele quickly climbed the ranks at Celtic, making his first-team debut in May 2019 when he was just 16. His performance caught the eye of manager Neil Lennon who said: "He is the type of player that you want at Celtic. He gets the crowd off their feet with his football intelligence. Obviously we need to keep a lid on it, but it's great that the fans have seen the glimpse of the future… He has been training with the first team and I had no hesitation giving him 45 minutes."
Soon, big names like Manchester City and Chelsea were linked with Dembele, while England and Scotland vied for his services. He represented both countries at youth level, leaving his international future up in the air.
Do you think Dembele will still have a great career at the top level? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
However, Dembele's progress wasn't as swift as anticipated. He struggled to secure a regular spot in the first team and missed eight months due to a broken ankle in summer 2021. By the time he recovered, his contract was almost over.
In June 2022, Dembele left Celtic, leaving fans pondering what might have been. But as one chapter ended, another began – French side Brest offered him a four-year contract. This was a massive opportunity for the young player, with Brest competing in Ligue 1.
Dembele's first season with his new club didn't quite hit the mark. Despite making 17 appearances in all competitions, he only started one game and didn't manage to score or assist. Brest thought it best to loan him out.
That's when Blackpool stepped up. The Tangerines, who sadly dropped from the Championship last season, signed Dembele at the close of the summer transfer window and gave him his League One debut against Wycombe last Saturday.
"I've had some cracking moments at Celtic and Brest and those experiences have helped me grow as a person and a player," said Dembele. "I love bringing a bit of excitement and entertainment to the pitch, and hopefully I can chip in with some goals and assists for the team."
That's exactly what he needs to do. Blackpool are likely to give Dembele the chance to play regularly at first-team level, and he needs to show he's got the chops to stay in professional football. If he can steer clear of injuries, this could be his breakout season.
This article was crafted with the help of an AI tool, which speeds up Daily Star's editorial research. An editor reviewed this content before it was published. You can report any errors to [email protected]
- Ligue 1
- Lionel Messi
- Neil Lennon
- Celtic FC
- Scottish Premiership
- Blackpool FC
- League One
Source: Read Full Article