Desire Doue’s Punctuality Put to the Test by Didier Deschamps on France Debut
Paris Saint-Germain’s rising star, Desire Doue, experienced a less than warm welcome from France national team coach Didier Deschamps upon his arrival at Clairefontaine for his first senior squad call-up. The young forward’s tardiness did not go unnoticed by the notoriously disciplined manager.
The 19-year-old winger received his inaugural call to represent France just days after a momentous occasion for his club. Doue had clinched victory for PSG by expertly converting the decisive penalty in their thrilling Champions League round of 16 triumph against Liverpool. His composed performance in such a high-stakes match further cemented his burgeoning reputation.
Doue’s journey to the national team has been rapid. Joining the Ligue 1 champions from Rennes in the summer transfer window for a reported €50 million (£42.6m), he has quickly become an integral part of the PSG squad. This season alone, he has featured in 22 matches for ‘Les Parisiens’, contributing four goals to their campaign.
His impressive performances under the guidance of Luis Enrique haven’t gone unnoticed. The gifted winger’s skill and potential have earned him a coveted spot in Didier Deschamps’ 24-man squad for the upcoming Nations League double-header against Croatia. This call-up signifies a major step in Doue’s young career and an opportunity to showcase his talents on the international stage.
Deschamps himself acknowledged Doue’s merits when explaining his selection. “He’s done everything to perform consistently well with his club,” Deschamps stated. “He has shown significant progress. While still young, he is a very interesting prospect for us. It’s beneficial for him to join us based on his contributions over recent months. Doue is versatile and capable of playing in various attacking positions.”
However, Doue’s first day with ‘Les Bleus’ didn’t start perfectly. On Monday morning, as the France squad convened at the National Football Center in Clairefontaine to commence preparations for the Nations League fixtures, Doue and fellow Paris Saint-Germain teammate Warren Zaire-Emery were late in arriving.
Didier Deschamps, known for his strict approach to discipline, addressed the lateness directly. According to reports translated by Get French Football News, Deschamps remarked to the young PSG duo: “You’re with Warren? Is that why you’re late? There are some managers where you’d be sent away immediately.” His gesture towards his watch and his visibly unimpressed expression underscored the seriousness of the situation.
The interaction quickly sparked reaction across social media, with fans offering various perspectives:
- “He probably won’t get another call up till next year knowing Deschamps. Arrived late on his first ever call up.” – Highlighting the perceived severity of Deschamps’ disciplinary standards.
- “Cameras saved his ass,” – Suggesting the public nature of the arrival might have prevented a harsher initial reaction from the coach.
- “Doue couldn’t even look him in his eyes… Deschamps is a real disciplinarian.” – Observing Doue’s body language and reinforcing Deschamps’ reputation.
- “Discipline manager.” – A concise summary of Deschamps’ well-known coaching philosophy.
Didier Deschamps’ Future Beyond 2026 World Cup
Interestingly, this display of strictness comes in the context of Deschamps’ own future plans. Earlier this year, the France manager announced his intention to step down from his role after the 2026 World Cup. In an interview with French broadcaster TF1, Deschamps clarified his long-term commitment, stating: “I’ve been here since 2012, and I’m contracted until 2026, the next World Cup. It will conclude there because it must conclude at some point. In my mind, it’s very clear.” This sets a timeline for the end of a highly successful era for French football under Deschamps’ leadership.
Witness Desire Doue and the French national team in action during the Nations League! Check out the upcoming match schedule and ticket information here.