There really is nothing more pleasing in football than watching a player equally confident with both feet.
Santi Cazorla’s heartbreaking injury struggles have deprived Premier League fans from regularly enjoying the most ambidextrous player the division has ever seen.
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But on the continent Barcelona boast a player 10 times more terrifying.
If Ousmane Dembele was a solely one footed player – say in the ilk of Leroy Sane – he’d still be absolutely brilliant.
But his ability and comfort with both make him arguably the most exciting talent on the planet.
Imagine you’re a fairly competent La Liga full back faced with the unenviable task of stopping Dembele in his tracks.
As the hapless Villarreal defence found out last night, he can seamlessly go past you on either foot with searing pace and touch-tight ball control.
Watch the highlights below:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hbv1rZ-XJ00]
For Philippe Coutinho’s opening goal Dembele twisted and turned near the halfway line, roasted a couple of players before unleashing a shot which the Brazilian turned in the rebound from.
And for the Frenchman’s second goal he sucked two Villarreal defenders in and audaciously dinked the goalkeeper with his left foot from 20 yards.
Dembele has been asked in the past about his preference, to which he hasn’t really been able to provide a concrete answer:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajWIIYZ3Kbg]
Twisting. Turning. Teasing.
As a fairly budget Sunday League defender he’s a worst nightmare, able to skin you on either side.
How is any mortal being meant to prepare for that?
It all adds up to a frightening prospect with the world at his feet and the Ballon d’Or surely an inevitability one day.
Barcelona fans have had to be patient with Dembele but his virtuoso display last night proved he’s worth waiting for.
If the Catalans do, as expected, add Antoine Griezmann to their squad this summer they really will boast the most fearsome attacking unit around.
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