Malcom hasn't come to take Dembele's place
![Toni Frieros Toni Frieros](https://estaticos-cdn.prensaiberica.es/clip/1c1862aa-bc47-4479-9918-feeb1aac898c_source-aspect-ratio_default_0.jpg)
![Dembélé y Malcom son complementarios. Dembélé y Malcom son complementarios.](https://estaticos-cdn.prensaiberica.es/clip/3c4807a2-eaa3-4e35-881d-7b3c6b296ccb_alta-libre-aspect-ratio_default_0.jpg)
The signing of Ousmane Dembele is still being analysed and studied. The courtesy first season has finished, one where he spent three months out injured, and he's been given the time to adapt. It'll be from this upcoming season when the Barça season ticket holders and fans will expect more from the ambidextrous French forward. Hopefully the presence of Eric Abidal at the club will help the player make the leap from mediocrity to stunning success, and Dembele will integrate more both on and off the pitch at Barcelona. Maybe the player will show why the club was right to choose him ahead of other, more experienced players when they broke the €100m barrier to sign him.
And just as we're waiting for Dembele's moment of truth, Barça sign another promising winger in Malcom. Of course, you associate the arrival of the Brazilian as direct competition for the French man. Yes and no. You need to understand something from the tactical point of view of the coach, Ernesto Valverde. After Iniesta's departure, the coach decided to replace him with Coutinho, a left-footed player who can play on the left of midfield with the task of unlocking defences and demonstrating his superb shooting ability. On the right, Barça lacked that profile of player. A player who can use both feet, shines in one-on-ones and is capable of scoring goals. This man is Malcom. Dembele is a player for long matches, with space to exploit, to add pace to the attack and reach the byline. Barça suffered because they didn't have the same potency that Jordi Alba and Coutinho did. Dembele and Malcom can complement each other. The team needs two first class options for each position on the pitch if they are to reclaim their throne in Europe.