Ousmane Dembélé (29-year-old forward), like Nuno Mendes (24-year-old left-back), was rested by coach Luis Enrique during Paris Saint-Germain’s match against Le Mans last Saturday (a 3-1 win in Ligue 1 Matchday 6). Regarding the former (the latter has been overlooked), this has become a major topic of debate among certain French sports media outlets—notably RMC Sport, where Christophe Dugarry blew the situation out of proportion and harshly criticized the Parisian manager.
Dugarry: “PSG must have data we don’t have”
“PSG must have data we don’t have, but I think it’s going to lead to a clash at some point. His matches with Paris are average, as are his games for the French national team; eventually, it’s going to start messing with his head. Are they afraid he’ll get injured, or is it to ensure he’s in form by February? But between now and February, how long are you going to keep him rested? I find this approach more than surprising.”
Dugarry: “If he doesn’t get back to a decent level…”
“And if he doesn’t get back to a decent level—what do you tell the guy who is a Ballon d’Or winner, who signed a contract extension with an astronomical salary, who is supposed to be performing for Les Bleus? What do you tell him? ‘It doesn’t matter, he’s a Ballon d’Or winner…’ Do you realize the image you’re projecting of a Ballon d’Or winner? He certainly deserved it, but playing him in one out of every three matches—what’s the idea there? Last year, he only started nine Ligue 1 games…”
So, is this the level of football debate in France? How can someone—whether a journalist, former player, or coach—begin by acknowledging they lack the full picture, yet still deliver such a scathing verdict? Perspective and thoughtful analysis are cast aside in favor of sensational statements made on one of the most widely followed media outlets.
Dugarry goes so far as to talk about a potential “clash” and suggests Dembélé might never regain his top form—ignoring the fact that his management has remained consistent with previous seasons—all while knowing he can speak freely without ever being challenged. This has been going on for years. While a “debate” does take place during the show, is it really worth having given the arguments used? It is all purely hypothetical.
To be fair, the pundit does acknowledge that the PSG and France forward “deserved” his Ballon d’Or. One could even add that he remains a contender this year, having played a key role in a PSG side that is winning and impressing. Yet, the main point is to highlight a problem.
Not the issue of the schedule—of a player who has been playing non-stop for both PSG and the national team for months and needs to be careful, given that his explosive playing style has already led to some physical setbacks. That would be too simple. It is far more marketable to talk about a rift.
