Ousmane Dembélé, the 29-year-old Paris Saint-Germain and France national team forward, held a press conference this Thursday ahead of Les Bleus’ match tomorrow against Italy at the Stade de France (kick-off at 8:45 PM, CET).
Dembélé “At 29, I really don’t have time for that”
There have been reports of some tension between you and Kylian Mbappé at the start of this international break. What can you tell us about that?
No, nothing. As I said, all those stories, I don’t comment on them and I don’t want to comment on them. They’re just little feuds on social media and things like that. At 29, I really don’t have time for that. I’m focused on what matters, which is what happens on the pitch.
Are you still friends with Kylian Mbappé?
As I said, all those social media stories… Yes, we’ve spoken, we sit next to each other at the table, there’s no problem.
Dembélé “There are a lot of similarities with PSG”
Do you see similar playing principles between PSG and the French national team?
Yes, a lot. First of all, the coach gives us a lot of freedom, especially us forwards. There’s also a somewhat similar philosophy, it’s getting a little closer to PSG. We try to enjoy ourselves and, as the coach said, he wants his team to play. We have players who are very comfortable on the ball and there are a lot of similarities with PSG.
You’re playing in your preferred position. Are there any differences between what Luis Enrique and Zinédine Zidane ask of you?
Yes, it’s a position I know and one where I play practically all season. In these two matches, against Turkey and Belgium, the coach gave me a lot of freedom. That’s what I like too, being able to drop deeper and help the midfielders build the play. There’s a bit of Luis Enrique and also Zinédine Zidane’s touch, with him giving me a lot of freedom in that position.
How can you be as effective as a number 9 for France as you are for Paris Saint-Germain?
Well, as I said, he gives me a lot of freedom. And whether it’s at PSG or with France, I have good players around me. During matches, we switch positions a lot, whether it’s with Michael, Bradley or Désiré. There’s a lot of freedom in attack.
As always, I’m going to give everything, 100%, to perform well. I know I need to provide assists and score goals, that’s what I like doing. I have a lot of freedom with France, I feel good in this team and I’m enjoying myself.
How did Zinédine Zidane explain this new role to you?
I don’t have any more responsibility, I’m a competitor and in every match I want to perform well. As he said, he wants to see all the players in their preferred positions, and he put me at centre-forward, which is the position where I play most often at PSG. I can also play on the right, that doesn’t bother me. The most important thing is to perform well, play good matches and help the team.
Dembélé “We’re going to give everything to win”
What does this match against Italy mean to you?
It’s a special match. We know the history between France and Italy. But we want the win, we want the three points and we know it’s a special game. We’re going to stay focused on the football.
We’ve spoken about it with the group and the coach, but not much more than that. We’re staying focused on what we have to do. We’ve shown our quality and we have to follow the coach’s instructions. And returning to the Stade de France after two or three years feels good. We’re going to give everything to win.
Dembélé “I’m going to stay the same and help the team”
How does it feel to wear the captain’s armband?
It makes me happy, even though I’m vice-captain. It makes me happy, it’s a source of pride. But as I keep saying and as I’ve always said, I’m not going to change the way I am. I’m going to stay the same and help the team. That’s the most important thing.
What kind of vice-captain are you? Do you make an extra effort to talk to your teammates?
I already talk too much with my teammates. I’m going to stay the same, I talk to pretty much everyone. There have been a lot of changes and many new players are experiencing their first call-up. The new players have settled in naturally and I’m staying the same. I don’t want to change. I just want to keep helping my teammates.
Dembélé “His future will be bright”
What do you make of Désiré Doué’s development? How do you explain his lack of consistency?
Since Stade Rennais, he joined PSG at 20, he scored in the Champions League final, he’s played some very good matches and he’s an important player for us, for PSG. His development, in my opinion, has been exceptional.
It’s normal that over a season, with 80 matches, there are ups and downs. That’s normal, but his development has been exceptional. He works hard. For his age, he’s very mature and he’s a good person who wants to help the team, and that’s the most important thing.
He needs to keep that mindset, that’s the most important thing. His future, as we can see, will be bright.
