{"id":221872,"date":"2023-08-30T15:58:57","date_gmt":"2023-08-30T15:58:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/allworldreport.com\/?p=221872"},"modified":"2023-08-30T15:58:57","modified_gmt":"2023-08-30T15:58:57","slug":"forgotten-wonderkid-dubbed-messis-heir-who-chelsea-and-man-city-fought-over-at-13-signs-for-league-one-club-the-sun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/allworldreport.com\/sport\/forgotten-wonderkid-dubbed-messis-heir-who-chelsea-and-man-city-fought-over-at-13-signs-for-league-one-club-the-sun\/","title":{"rendered":"Forgotten wonderkid dubbed 'Messi's heir' who Chelsea and Man City fought over at 13 signs for League One club | The Sun"},"content":{"rendered":"
A FORGOTTEN wonderkid who was once dubbed "Messi's heir" has signed for League One side Blackpool.<\/p>\n
Karamoko Dembele, 20, was the talk of football when he was coming through the ranks at Celtic and made his debut for the club's under-20s side when he was just THIRTEEN.<\/strong><\/p>\n He would go on to make his full first team debut at Celtic Park when he was still only 16 years old.<\/p>\n The winger also had both Scotland and England fighting to have him declare for them and he represented both sides at youth level – although he has not declared for either country yet.<\/p>\n And Chelsea and Manchester City were also scrapping for his signature after he burst on the scene.<\/p>\n The winger, who was born in London, joined Celtic when he was just 10 years old and regularly scooped up awards at both academy and youth team level – with the expectation that he would go on to become a first team regular at Celtic Park.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n His former youth team coach David Feeney said in 2016: "I think he is very similar to Lionel Messi. If he has the right guidance, then the sky is the limit for him.<\/p>\n However, after making his debut for the club in the 2018-19 season, the 5ft5 winger never really managed to kick on at senior level – with injuries being a major factor.<\/p>\n He would go on to make just eight further appearances for The Hoops, all of them cameos from the bench before joining Ligue 1 side Brest in 2022.<\/p>\n Dembele made 17 appearances in his first season at the club, again largely being cameos from the bench.<\/p>\n <\/picture>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/picture>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/picture>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/picture>\n <\/span><\/p>\n FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n But last season he featured just once in all competitions for the club.<\/p>\n A move to Blackpool represents an opportunity for the youngster to revive his career.<\/p>\n Still only 20, a move down the football pyramid from Ligue 1 to English football's League One will give him the opportunity to gain the minutes he desperately needs to develop.<\/p>\n After the club unveiled his signing on Twitter, it is fair to say that Blackpool fans still believe he can come good on his potential.<\/p>\n One fan said: "If he\u2019s as good as he was on my Football Manager we are winning the league ladies and gents."<\/p>\n Another added: "Promising young player, shame it\u2019s a loan but should definitely add something if played in the correct position. Let\u2019s hope this leads to a change in formation. Good luck to the lad."<\/p>\n While a third wrote: "Let us hope this is the maverick type player we badly need."<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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