Ah, Karamoko Dembele, born on a day of remarkable inconsequence in England on the 22nd of February 2003. Now a young lad of 21 and mastering the wizardry of the beautiful game somewhat on and off, depending on which day, which side of the bed he wakes up on, and perhaps, the alignment of the planets. Mr. Dembele has strapped his career aspirations to Queens Park Rangers, operating primarily as a right winger, often passing by unnoticed by all but the most discerning of fans. He's somewhat of a featherweight. Tipping the scales at around 10st 3lb (or 65kg for those who prefer their SI units) and stands a grand old 5ft 3in (or 1.61m if that's your preference), dwarfed by the goliaths he occasionally dances around on the pitch.
Just reminiscing about Dembele's journey has got me all sentimental about 2017, the year he decided on whim to cross the border and train at Celtic. Oh, Celtic... the club of endless drizzle and wind-chapped faces. You'll be thrilled to learn that in his debut season, the chap pulled on the hallowed striped jersey precisely once in a league match. A feat he repeated the following year. In 2020, Dembele's enthusiasm spiked drastically, culminating in a whopping five league appearances, he even found the net once. Please, contain your applause. However, this vivacious spell was short-lived with a return to a single appearance the following season.
In a move surprising no one, the summer of 2022 saw Dembele traverse the English Channel to Brest, who ply their trade in the French Ligue 1. His time in Brittany was met with fluctuating commitment levels, as evidenced by a hearty 15 appearances in the first season, which dwindled to a single appearance the next year.
Then, a detour! A move to the giddy light of absurdly named Blackpool in the stifling grind of England's League One on loan. Ah, the glamour of it all must have been overwhelming. Upon completion of his time in England's gambling capital, he returned from whence he came - back to the croissants and Brest.
Action, dear reader! The year is 2024, and Dembele has decided to abandon France's grey skies for the welcoming grimness of England yet again. On loan he went to Queens Park Rangers in the Championship. As it stands, Dembele has turned out in a QPR jersey eight times, in what can only be described as a masterclass in maintaining mediocrity. Further, he graced the League Cup with his fleeting presence, appearing twice as a substitute. So, let's raise a toast to the nomadic journey of Karamoko Dembele, may it continue in the same predictably lacklustre vein.
