Clement Lenglet has denied reports that Ousmane Dembele is restless at Barcelona, despite the forward’s ongoing struggle to carve out a regular place in the starting line-up at the Camp Nou.

Dembele, 21, was dropped from Barcelona’s 4-3 defeat by Real Betis on Saturday after missing training on Thursday due to a stomach bug.

The Frenchman was considered one of football’s top young talents when he was brought in from Borussia Dortmund to replace Neymar in 2017.

But Dembele has found life in Spain hard going, struggling for form and opportunities amid a series of niggling injuries.

Rumours have linked the forward with a switch to Liverpool but team-mate and compatriot Lenglet believes his team-mate is content.

“If Dembele looked serious in the stands I think that is understandable,” the defender told Goal when asked about his compatriot’s behaviour.

“We were losing and if he started to laugh people would not understand that either. I don’t think there is any problem with him, he was ill, he couldn’t make training and the coach chose another player.

“These are things that happen at every club and we all have to pull in the same direction to reach our goals.”