PROFILE | Why Ismael Doukouré should forget about a move away from Strasbourg | OneFootball

Window after window, there were rumours of discontent at Strasbourg, as Ismael Doukouré repeatedly tried – and failed – to depart the club. It was a situation that reportedly frustrated the Frenchman, who, having established himself as a key player and a leader at an early age, was desperate to make that next step in his career.

It was Wolfsburg who knocked on the door back in 2024, before RCSA slammed that door shut. And even this summer, his future was once again a contentious topic. Doukouré reportedly trained with the reserve side, just before the start of the season due to his refusal to sign a contract extension with his formative club. He would sign a new deal later in August, which would tie him to Le Racing until 2028. The question is whether those tensions are part of the past or whether they will re-emerge. 

There is a very strong argument for him not to leave Strasbourg. They are a club now competing in Europe (UEFA Europa Conference League) and pushing to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League. He is part of a youthful and exciting project, one in which he now represents one of the more senior elements, and he is working under a youthful and innovative coach, whose mandate it is to further develop these young talents. 

Doukouré linked with Chelsea move

And then there is the obvious Chelsea pathway. He has already been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, but that is another reason why he should remain with Strasbourg. He still has a margin for progression. 

Doukouré is a strong passer of the ball and is good at progressing the ball from deeper areas. It is why he has played both in midfield and more recently in defence. It remains to be seen where his long-term future on the pitch lies. He currently lacks the physicality and the skillset to play for an elite club as a defender, but it is there that he more frequently plays under Rosenior.

And so, whilst for two years, the talk has been about Doukouré making a step up, it is Strasbourg who have arguably made that step up to be on the level of his own ambition. RCSA is his level – and it is a good level – but if he is to go higher, he must now progress further and play an even more central role in the club’s UCL push in 2026.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle