Chelsea/PSG – The choice between Doué and Kvaratskhelia analysed

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·16 March 2026

Chelsea/PSG – The choice between Doué and Kvaratskhelia analysed

Paris Saint-Germain faces Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (kick-off at 9 PM, broadcast on Canal+) this Tuesday in the second leg of the 2025-2026 Champions League round of 16 (5-2 victory in the first leg). There is a big question among experts and fans: who will start between Désiré Doué (20-year-old midfielder/forward) and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (25-year-old forward) on the right side of the attack? Elie Baup, a former coach who notably managed Bordeaux, Toulouse, and Olympique de Marseille, attempted to answer this for L’Equipe.

Baup “A structure like PSG needs both profiles.”

“It’s a rich choice! They are both top-level players, and it’s very delicate to favor one; it depends on each match. A structure like PSG needs both profiles. Doué is really interesting in terms of the collective. He can be in several zones, capable of always creating space for others, even when there is none. This is super important in a positional play. Dembélé and the midfielders who project forward benefit from his movements and passing skills. If we add his technique, freshness, and ability to stay calm in key moments, that’s a lot of favorable arguments.”

Baup “One of Luis Enrique’s strengths is keeping them motivated.”

Kvaratskhelia, on the other hand, is more focused on individually finishing actions near the goal. In one-on-one situations, even with little space, he has the technique to go all the way. And he has this coolness, this determination. When you see his performance against Chelsea... One of Luis Enrique’s strengths is keeping them motivated, and we see that even when they come off the bench, they can change a match.”

The choice is very complicated, with two quite different players who have shown several times that they can start together. Doué has more versatility, with the ability to drop almost anywhere to help direct the play. Kvaratskhelia generally drops less deep, but he can do it too. Both also know how to make defensive runs and be decisive, especially from outside the box, even if it’s more from the left.

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It’s a strength of this group to have such a possible reflection when arriving at a big event. There will certainly be high-level substitutes ready to give everything, as Luis Enrique always seems to manage to involve everyone.

Moreover, it is also quite conceivable that Kvaratskhelia and Doué could both start. Bradley Barcola (23 years old) might be a substitute, even though he scored a nice goal in the first leg. We should not forget Doué’s contribution in breaking the press and his assist for Ousmane Dembélé.

We can also imagine the latter starting in midfield, where Warren Zaïre-Emery (20 years old) is logically showing signs of fatigue (over 30 consecutive starts). Perhaps the debate should not be limited to 2 players in this squad where versatility and competition are key. Not to mention that coach Luis Enrique is quite capable of tactical surprises.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.