Has Désiré Doué secured a starting place for France? | OneFootball

Désiré Doué’s recent impact has sharpened his case to start for France, yet his status is still being weighed.

Impacted by the emotions of his World Cup debut, the winger has since featured in all six France matches, making a telling contribution against Paraguay before troubling Morocco. According to L'Équipe, there was waste in his finishing and some solo runs, but his movement, dribbling and racing repeatedly brought danger.

Kylian Mbappé praised his versatility, noting he offers options with and without the ball. He operated wide to force Achraf Hakimi to defend, then moved inside to function almost as a third midfielder, and Mbappé felt it was a strong showing in a game that matters for a young international.

Spain await, with Lamine Yamal on that flank, so defensive discipline will be critical. Both Parisians, Doué and Bradley Barcola, have shown they can work without the ball, though Doué may have greater defensive running. With Pedro Porro sharing some traits with Hakimi, keeping faith with Doué could also help create overloads against Spain’s double pivot.

Off the pitch, he is thriving in Boston, where his parents, partner and friends have settled for weeks. He is often by the first-floor gym at the Four Seasons, following a meticulous routine that a team insider likens to a robot.

Even so, Barcola’s late cameo against Morocco, while yielding two chances that went unfinished, was noted. The duel remains finely balanced, and there is no certainty yet that the hierarchy is settled.

Source: L'Équipe