Ousmane Dembele was spotted at a place you would least expect him to as his teammates at Barcelona prepare for the upcoming El Clasico on Sunday, a clash which could have a huge say in the making of La Liga champions. 

Dembele, currently injured and out of the squad, was seen watching the game between Sunderland and Sheffield United in the second tier of English football.

Dembele has been linked with a move to England for quite some time now, but his contract extension with Barcelona last year made it clear that he is happy with the club. A footballer watching a game in a different league isn’t unusual, but rarely do we see someone watching a second-tier game. 

Dembele is a good friend of the current owner of Sunderland FC, Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, and both of them were seen clicking pictures together as the match played out. The Barca winger congratulated the club on Twitter last year when they earned a promotion. 

Unfortunately, Sunderland couldn’t avail all three points on offer last night, losing 2-1 to Sheffield United, which now leaves them eight points behind the promotion race.

Dembele, meanwhile, pulled up his thigh muscle in the 26th minute of the game against Girona in January and has been out of action since then. Prior to the injury, he had been playing the best football in his career, and was one of the most threatening presences for Barcelona. He is doubtful for the match against Real Madrid on Sunday, as his recovery has been slow. Raphinha has rarely missed a beat in his role on the right wing in Dembele’s absence.

About the Frenchman’s fitness, the head coach Xavi said, “He’s doing some work on the training ground. He is working with the medical staff and he will return to the group when he feels ready.”

“Franck [Kessie] and Frenkie [de Jong] are doing well and Busquets is back. I hope we don’t find him missing as much as a year ago,” he added.

Moreover, the good news for the club is that Pedri has recovered from his thigh knock, and will be starting the game on Sunday. 

Lead Image: Barcelona