Ousmane Dembele: ‘Agent 015’ Spurs Banter, but Stats Reveal a Different Story
Barcelona fans and football enthusiasts alike have been playfully dubbing Ousmane Dembele as ‘Agent 007,’ albeit humorously amended to ‘Agent 015’ due to his goal drought at PSG – not a single goal in 15 appearances. The question arises: Has the Frenchman’s prowess diminished since leaving Barcelona?
Contrary to the jests circulating, the truth unveils a different narrative. At 26, Dembele is showcasing one of his best seasons, particularly in terms of playmaking:
- 4 assists in Ligue 1 (1st);
- 67 actions leading to a shot in Ligue 1 (1st);
- 11 actions leading to a goal in Ligue 1 (1st).
Dembele has not only excelled in these key metrics but has also emerged as the best player in Europe this season in shot-creating and goal-creating actions per 90 minutes, along with the highest number of progressive carries performed.
While his goal tally may not reflect his overall contribution, a deeper dive into expected goals (xG) stats suggests that Dembele should have notched at least 2 goals in Ligue 1 and one in the Champions League. It’s worth noting that Dembele’s goal-scoring output has waned since the 2018/19 season, where he netted 14 goals for Barcelona.
Under the guidance of Luis Enrique, Dembele is experiencing a renaissance, resembling the prime version of himself seen during the 2021/22 season under Xavi. As Barca fans banter about ‘Agent 015,’ the statistics tell a tale of a player flourishing in a different aspect of his game, embracing a role that extends beyond scoring goals.
