By Alex Roberts
PSG’s transition from signing ageing superstars to scorching prospects might be the very best resolution QSI have made since taking on again in 2012. Not solely are they operating away with the Ligue 1 title, the Champions League doesn’t seem to be a dream anymore.
Désiré Doué is a kind of scorching prospects, becoming a member of from Rennes for a reported charge €50 million final summer season. His potential has been evident since he broke into the primary crew at Roazhan Park two seasons in the past, and he rapidly outgrew his previous teammates.
Tottenham fullback Djed Spence, who spent six-months on mortgage at Rennes in 2023 described Doué as a ‘generational expertise’, lauding him as among the finest gamers he’s ever performed with. Only a reminder, he doesn’t flip 20 till June.
He’s fearless and versatile, in a position to play wherever alongside the ahead line in addition to the centre of the park as a midfielder. For somebody so younger he seems smart past his years, dropping a shoulder and gliding previous gamers who’ve been enjoying a helluva lot longer.
Luis Enrique has managed him completely, limiting his minutes at first of the season, beginning him in decrease stakes video games and brining him on for the final 30 within the extra vital ones, serving to him familiarize yourself with the Spaniard’s particular model of play quite than throw him in on the deep finish.
At round mid-December, Doué grew to become more durable and more durable to depart out. His breakout efficiency was the 3-1 Ligue 1 win over Lyon. It took simply eight minutes for PSG to open the scoring, Doué expertly wriggled previous Ainsley Maitland-Niles earlier than setting Ousmane Dembélé up with a low cross.
Neither he or PSG have appeared again since. Doue has featured in each PSG sport that’s adopted, primarily as a central midfielder alongside fellow wonderkid João Neves and Fabián Ruiz, offering 18 aim contributions in that point.
In an period that has develop into so involved with tactical philosophies and programs, Doué is a real entertainer. In that means, he’s very similar to Cole Palmer, he seems so unbothered, supremely assured in his personal capacity.
A box-to-box playmaker who’s lots faster than one would possibly suppose, his ball carrying and dribbling capacity helps carry opposition defenders out of place and open up house to assist play in teammates or go for aim.
Maybe probably the most spectacular a part of Doué’s sport is his work fee. He’s an attacking risk, sure, however he’ll bust a lung to win the ball again for his facet, successful possession within the remaining third 12 instances, successful 114 duels, and making 12 interceptions. Doué is the whole package deal.
Don’t take our phrase for it, Enrique has praised Doué for his onerous work, saying: “At Rennes, we noticed his technical capacity, physicality and character. Now, he’s reaping the rewards of his onerous work.
“There may be nonetheless lots to do, however he’s on the proper place and membership to develop and play high-stakes matches. The Champions League stage, as I inform the gamers, is like worldwide obligation – you’re up towards the very best gamers and coaches.”
Talking of the Champions League, Doué got here off the bench so as to add a little bit je ne sais quoi to PSG’s already spectacular efficiency of their 1-0 win at Anfield, changing Bradley Barcola to assist safe a spot within the quarter remaining.
No, he didn’t rating in regular or further time, though PSG had sufficient probabilities he most likely ought to have carried out. He did, nevertheless, step up and rating the successful penalty. One other reminder that the lad is just 19, brushing the strain off to ship the early match favourites out of the competitors.
Shortly after, the notoriously onerous to impress Didier Deschamps handed Doué his first worldwide name up, bringing him on of their UEFA Nations League quarter-final second leg win over Croatia.
It was the same story to the Liverpool sport, regular time flew by, after which further time, going to penalties with the mixture rating at 2-2. Doué stepped up as soon as once more, scoring France’s fourth penalty earlier than Dayot Upamecano scored the winner.
Six days later he was the participant of the match in PSG’s 6-1 win over relegation threatened Saint Etienne, scoring two targets in a 13-minute spell, sending them a large 21 factors clear on the summit of the Ligue 1 desk.
The French league repeatedly proves to be the very best on the earth with regards to producing and nurturing younger expertise, even when a fourth consecutive title is nothing greater than a formality for PSG at this level.
Few of these younger abilities are fairly as properly rounded as Doué, nevertheless, and even fewer have the potential to succeed in ranges he surpassed a while in the past. We’re not fortune tellers, and nobody can really predict something in soccer, however we’re assured in saying the way forward for PSG and the France nationwide crew is in protected fingers with this younger man.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
You possibly can comply with each PSG sport with FotMob this season – that includes deep stats protection, xG, and participant scores. Obtain the free app right here.