Is Ousmane Dembélé the answer at the No.9 position for PSG?

Luis Enrique is a coach known to prefer to make his teams play without a real number nine, often opting for a false nine helping in side when in possession of the ball. This season has not been different with PSG, even though the choice has been made for him most of the time this season due to Gonçalo Ramos' ankle injury that kept him out of the squad for almost three month.

It was then not a suriprise when during the Portuguese lenghty absence, the Spaniard opted for a false nine rather than using Randal Kolo Muani. Throughout this long spell, the former FC Barcelona coach chose to give his trust to Marco Asensio, Lee Kang-In and Désiré Doué as false nine and saw positive results from them in this position in Ligue 1. However, the lack of a real striker was felt in the first six games of their Champions League campaign with Paris struggling to convert their numerous opportunities resulting in many points being dropped and frustrated fans.

Is Ousmane Dembélé the answer at the No.9 position for PSG?

Thankfully, Gonçalo Ramos made his return in the squad following his injury, giving other tactical options to his coach. Nonetheless, the Portugal international has mostly been used in a role off the bench, making only three starts in eight games since his comeback. The 23-year-old is used as an impact player by his coach and it is working, he netted four goals since coming back and the question of whether or not he should start due to his record off the bench.

With Ramos starting on the bench, the Spaniard aligned Ousmane Dembélé as a false nine and the results were there. In his last three games played in this position the Frenchman scored three goals and was able to display all the qualities that makes him one of the best players in Europe. His position as a false nine give way more freedom to the 27-year-old on the pitch allowing him to link up with his midfielders, furthermore his association with Désiré Doué has proved to be fruitful as both players are blossoming at the moment.

Being able to switch position at will with other front line players is also a plus helping Dembélé to be more dangerous while opening more space on the wings for Mendes and Hakimi through low crosses. This system without a real striker might be the answer for Paris as their players are thriving in this tactical setup allowing them to be in constant movement.

However, it will be in the Champions League that these players will be expected to perform and lift Paris to a Playoff qualification as a must-win game against Guardiola's Man City is looming. Going into such a game with Dembélé instead of Gonçalo Ramos could be the solution to win that game.