The French team will face Croatia in the quarterfinals of the League of Nations on Thursday March 20 and Sunday March 23. And for this double confrontation, Didier Deschamps reserved a little surprise in his list of 24 players. At 19, Désiré Doué was called for the first time among the A. passed by the hopes and present in the team of Thierry Henry at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the former Rennais was rewarded for his exceptional 2025 start of year. Present in front of the media, the coach explained his choice.
“That's all he can do good and very well with his club where he is not always a holder. When he played, he progressed a lot. He's a very young player. It's very interesting for us, it could have been later. I did it there. He will not be able to participate in the Euro Hopes because the Club World Cup is a priority. It is good that he can be there with us. (…) He progressed a lot in relation to what he was doing in Rennes and at the beginning at PSG. We are not going to compare him with players who have had ten years of career. I don't think he's an axial player. It is up to him to confirm everything he does very well so far ”he said, before adding that the Paris Saint-Germain player was not called only to show him the castle of Clairefontaine.
The versatility of gifted has paid
“By the situation of Marcus (hit in a knee, note), even if I hope that everything will go well, the objective is to do everything to qualify for the Final Four. If I take Désiré, it is not to say hello. This is an additional step. Like the other 23 players, I dare to hope that he will want to play, we will see how it goes. I consider him like other players, also have the possibility of being in action. »» Finally, to all those who wonder why Doué had the chance to be summoned with the Blues before Rayan Cherki and Magnes Akliouche, while these two perform with Olympique Lyonnais and Monaco since the start of the season, DD was clear.
“These are also two young players who do very good things with their club, in profiles not quite identical. The places are very expensive too, these two players are supposed to be affected by the Euro Espoirs. That does not mean that they could not come to the France A team. These are different qualities. There are three very interesting potentials. What his versatility may have to have good where he is able to play many offensive positions, even in the midfield. I wanted gifted to be with us on this gathering without necessarily removing other players who were there or who come back. »» The message has passed.
