“Advisor to Laporta Criticizes Dembele: ‘I Prefer a La Masia Talent Over Inconsistent Performances'”

In a candid interview with Sport, Barcelona’s board member and trusted advisor to Joan Laporta, Enric Masip, has openly discussed the departure of Ousmane Dembele from the club, shedding light on his views regarding player commitment and the importance of a strong team ethos.

Masip began by emphasizing his preference for committed players over merely talented ones, a viewpoint that stems from Dembele’s decision not to renew his contract with the club. He stated, “I like good players, but I prefer committed players. He has already demonstrated his lack of commitment when he did not renew.”

The crux of Masip’s argument revolves around the concept of consistency and loyalty. He highlighted his preference for a player who consistently delivers solid performances, even if they don’t always reach the peak of excellence, over someone who sporadically produces outstanding displays but is also prone to inconsistency. He explained, “I prefer a player who gives me a 7/10 or an 8/10 performance to one who gives me a 10/10 and two days later goes to another team to earn more.”

Masip underscored the importance of a player’s commitment to the team’s cause and the values associated with the club’s crest. He noted that it’s easy for players to express loyalty when they score goals or engage in self-promotion on social media, but true commitment goes beyond these superficial gestures. He continued, “It’s very easy to kiss the crest when you score a goal or sell smoke on social media. It’s legitimate to want to earn more, but when you are committed you don’t look at the money and you don’t say one day one thing and another day another.”

In a final statement that encapsulates his sentiments, Masip emphasized his preference for promoting young talents from Barcelona’s renowned La Masia academy, rather than relying on players who exhibit inconsistency in their performances. He concluded, “I’d rather play a kid from La Masia than someone who gives you a performance of 9/10 and a 3/10 the next day.”

As events unfolded, it became clear that Dembele’s departure created an opportunity for young talent to shine. Notably, 16-year-old Lamine Yamal has stepped into the void on the right flank of the attack, impressing observers with his contributions. His emergence serves as a testament to the club’s commitment to nurturing and promoting promising young players, reinforcing the belief that loyalty and dedication are qualities highly valued in the Barcelona ethos.