Désiré Doué (19), after a difficult start to life at the Parc des Princes, is thriving at Paris Saint-Germain. The €50m arrival from Stade Rennais has become an influential member of Luis Enrique’s squad, either off the bench or from the start.

He put in a strong performance after coming on as a substitute against Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League, netting the winning spot-kick in the shootout to secure PSG’s progression to the quarter-finals. 

Doué late for first day

His week got even better two days later as he received his first call-up to the France squad. However, as shown in images broadcast by the FFF on Monday, Doué arrived late for the first day of training. 

“You’re with Warren (Zaïre-Emery)? That’s why you’re late? […] there are some managers where you would leave straight away,” Didier Deschamps told the pair. 

That moment hasn’t dented Doué’s optimism as he spoke to the press for the first time since the call-up. “I am here to play. I have ambitions. All players want to play […] I am living my dream. I am trying to relitavise everything that is happening to me,” he said. 

Doué will be hoping to make his France debut during the current international break. Les Bleus face Croatia on Thursday in the UEFA Nations League and then again next Tuesday.