Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele has cited Thomas Tuchel as his favourite manager that he has played under.
The French international enjoyed a period under Tuchel's guidance while the pair were both at German outfit Borussia Dortmund, and it clearly had a lasting impression on Dembele, who still holds Tuchel in very high regard.
Speaking to BeIN sports, Dembele explained: "Thomas Tuchel really convinced me, he is my favourite manager."
He continued: “With Thomas Tuchel I played a bit more on the right side at the beginning of the season, and then I was moved more centrally, in the 10 position, sometimes even in the midfield three you see.
"And he told me to stay a bit more central, have an espresso as he used to say to me, the ball will come to you and then you will go.
"It would have been hard to leave Dortmund if Tuchel had stayed."
Tuchel has enjoyed huge success since leaving Dortmund, taking Paris Saint-Germain to the Champions League final while winning Ligue 1 before joining Chelsea in January of this year, and guiding the blues into the top four while taking them to the FA Cup final and the last four of the Champions League.
Dembele on the other hand, has had mixed fortunes at Barca. His time in Spain littered with injuries, the 23-year-old notching just 29 goals in four years at the club.
Dembele also went on to compliment Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, revealing: "Things went super at Dortmund, a super squad, (Pierre-Emerick) Aubameyang who welcomed me amazingly, even if it was quite tough with the German.
"Aubameyang really welcomed me well, he is the person that I have liked the most in football."
The winger recently admitted he is remaining calm over his future amid rumours he could leave Barcelona this summer.
The France star has been linked with a host of clubs, including Liverpool and Manchester United. European giants Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain have also been named as potential suitors.
“I still have one year left on my contract,” he told beIN Sports, cited via Football Italia.
“There have been no talks with the new board yet, but I’m happy and feel good.
“I don’t know the new president, but he is very close to the players. We’ll see how it goes. I have been feeling good since I got back.”
