The question of what makes a good player great, and a great player the best, has been one that has puzzled me since 2014. I recall researching young talent at Rennes when Ousmane Dembélé was just beginning his journey to stardom.
Dembélé, born in 1997, possessed exceptional skills on the pitch, but what truly set him apart were qualities beyond football ability – resilience, adaptability, decision-making, creativity, work ethic, response to feedback and willingness to learn. These intangible traits were evident in his youth, and they only grew stronger with time.
When Thomas Tuchel, Dembélé's coach at Borussia Dortmund, spoke about the player's potential, he framed him into one of three categories: "aggressive-motivated", "binding-motivated", or "curious-motivated". Dembélé fell under the latter category – a quality that Tuchel prized in his players. This curious-motivated talent had the capacity to excel in any situation.
However, Dembélé's journey was not without its setbacks. His move to Barcelona, where he struggled with injuries and limited playing time, raised questions about whether he would fulfill his promise. The player's stock plummeted after a season of inconsistency, and it seemed as though he had wasted potential.
But something changed in 2025. Luis Enrique, Dembélé's manager at Paris Saint-Germain, discovered that liberating the player from pressure allowed him to flourish. With no expectations attached, Dembélé was able to start the press, dictate the tempo of games, and finish chances with ruthless efficiency.
This season has seen Dembélé become an integral part of PSG's success, and he has finally earned recognition for his abilities. The question remains: what makes a good player great? It is a complex equation that includes intangible qualities such as chemistry within a team, relationships with coaches, and playing systems that bring out the best in every player.
While we still cannot fully explain this phenomenon, Ousmane Dembélé's journey serves as proof that the qualities he possessed at 17 are still present today. His exceptional 2025 season, which has included decisive goals against Liverpool and Arsenal, is a testament to his growth and development as a player.
Dembélé's story offers a glimpse into what makes greatness in football – it is not solely about talent or skill, but also about the qualities that set players apart from one another. His well-deserved award serves as a reminder of these intangible traits that make a great player truly exceptional.
Dembélé, born in 1997, possessed exceptional skills on the pitch, but what truly set him apart were qualities beyond football ability – resilience, adaptability, decision-making, creativity, work ethic, response to feedback and willingness to learn. These intangible traits were evident in his youth, and they only grew stronger with time.
When Thomas Tuchel, Dembélé's coach at Borussia Dortmund, spoke about the player's potential, he framed him into one of three categories: "aggressive-motivated", "binding-motivated", or "curious-motivated". Dembélé fell under the latter category – a quality that Tuchel prized in his players. This curious-motivated talent had the capacity to excel in any situation.
However, Dembélé's journey was not without its setbacks. His move to Barcelona, where he struggled with injuries and limited playing time, raised questions about whether he would fulfill his promise. The player's stock plummeted after a season of inconsistency, and it seemed as though he had wasted potential.
But something changed in 2025. Luis Enrique, Dembélé's manager at Paris Saint-Germain, discovered that liberating the player from pressure allowed him to flourish. With no expectations attached, Dembélé was able to start the press, dictate the tempo of games, and finish chances with ruthless efficiency.
This season has seen Dembélé become an integral part of PSG's success, and he has finally earned recognition for his abilities. The question remains: what makes a good player great? It is a complex equation that includes intangible qualities such as chemistry within a team, relationships with coaches, and playing systems that bring out the best in every player.
While we still cannot fully explain this phenomenon, Ousmane Dembélé's journey serves as proof that the qualities he possessed at 17 are still present today. His exceptional 2025 season, which has included decisive goals against Liverpool and Arsenal, is a testament to his growth and development as a player.
Dembélé's story offers a glimpse into what makes greatness in football – it is not solely about talent or skill, but also about the qualities that set players apart from one another. His well-deserved award serves as a reminder of these intangible traits that make a great player truly exceptional.
. I mean, have you seen his goal against Liverpool this season? It's like he was born to score! 
But seriously, what really sets him apart is that he's still learning and growing as a player, just like back in 2014 when I was following him at Rennes. And I love how his manager, Luis Enrique, has been able to bring out the best in him without putting too much pressure on him. It's like Dembélé has finally found his groove 
. The question of what makes a great player is still one that puzzles me, but Dembélé's story is definitely one for the books 
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Dembélé's transformation from struggling with injuries to becoming an integral part of PSG's success is crazy! It just goes to show how mental health and pressure can affect even the best players 
His growth and development as a player are truly inspiring, and it's awesome that he's finally earning recognition for his abilities 
And it's so cool to see how Luis Enrique's approach has helped bring out the best in him. It's all about finding that right balance, right? 
. It's a great reminder that even in the world of football, where ego can be a major factor, having the right coach-player dynamic can make all the difference 
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. But seriously though, I think the key to his success is not just about the skills he already had but how he's adapted and grown as a player. It's like when you're trying to get that one song stuck in your head - sometimes it takes a while but eventually, it just works its way into your brain, right? 
I'm still not convinced about Dembélé's 'curious-motivated' thing. He was playing with a bunch of decent midfielders at Dortmund and didn't struggle too much. It's like, is it really the manager or coach who sets him free to be himself on the pitch? 
️ Like, one minute he's scoring goals for fun, and the next he's struggling to find space on the pitch. It's so easy to blame the player when it doesn't fit your narrative 
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. He's still not quite at Messi levels, but who is? 
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I mean, who would've thought he'd turn it around after that tough spell at Barcelona? 
But what really gets me is how Luis Enrique's approach helped him find his footing again 
. Like, liberating the player from pressure and letting him just be himself on the pitch... genius! 
And now Dembélé's finally getting the recognition he deserves 
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PSG's system really seems to have brought out the best in him. And I think it's cool how Tuchel's coaching style was all about understanding what motivates players like Dembélé 
