In an interview with L’Équipe, Kylian Mbappé, 27 years old, the Real Madrid striker, offered a nuanced perspective on Désiré Doué, 21 years old, the Paris Saint-Germain attacking midfielder/winger. While acknowledging similarities, highlighting marked differences, and emphasizing the need for time, the former PSG player stressed that PSG must support Doué’s development without rushing him.
Mbappé: “We’re different”
“People say he’s very similar to me, but we’re different. Of course, there are things I see in him from when I was younger. He’s a very focused, determined young man. He’s already shown he can be an important player for his teams.”
The comparison between Kylian Mbappé and Désiré Doué is flattering, but it can quickly become a trap. By refusing to simply compare his own career path to that of the Paris Saint-Germain player, Mbappé places Doué within his own unique trajectory. The compliment is genuine: concentration, determination, the ability to make an impact on his teams. But the message is clear: Doué must develop as Doué, not as a miniature version of Mbappé.
Mbappé: “He needs to be used.”
“His best position? Oh! That’s a difficult question! That’s a debate that will come later, naturally. For now, he can play in different positions: number 8, right winger, left winger, false 9, and we need to use him.”
This is undoubtedly the most interesting point for PSG. Mbappé isn’t trying to pigeonhole Doué into a specific position; quite the opposite. At this stage of his career, his versatility should remain a strength rather than a problem to be solved too quickly. Seeing him capable of operating in several areas of the pitch gives Paris Saint-Germain real tactical flexibility, provided they don’t confuse versatility with instability.
Mbappé: “He’s still improving.”
“He’s still improving.” At PSG, they understand that perfectly.
Mbappé emphasizes a crucial element here: time. Doué has already demonstrated top-level qualities, but his development is still ongoing. For PSG, the challenge is to provide him with playing time, progressively increasing responsibilities, and a sufficiently demanding environment without artificially accelerating each stage. The talent is there, but building a major player can’t be done in a microwave, even in Paris.
