Dugarry predicts clash between Dembélé and PSG over repeated rest periods

Christophe Dugarry predicts a breakdown between Ousmane Dembélé and Paris Saint-Germain if Luis Enrique’s management of the striker continues on the same trajectory. The former World Cup winner was reacting to the latest rest period for the Normandy-born player, who was absent from the Paris lineup on Saturday against Mans — the second time in six matches this season.

Luis Enrique justified this decision at his press conference by citing accumulated fatigue from the international break: “We decided that Nuno Mendes and Ousmane Dembélé needed to rest to prepare for Ligue 1 and Champions League matches. This will be something normal this season.” PSG are preparing to face Manchester City on Wednesday for Matchday 2 of the Champions League.

Dugarry does not share this logic. “Ousmane Dembélé, PSG must have data that we don’t have, but I think at some point this is going to clash. His matches with Paris are average, those with the France team too, at some point it’s going to get messy in his head,” he warned.

The former Girondins de Bordeaux striker questions the club’s strategy: “Are they afraid he’ll get injured or is it so he arrives in form in February? But between now and February, how long are you going to leave him resting? I find this approach more than strange.” He also points out the contradiction between the player’s status and his playing time: “And if he doesn’t get back to a decent level, what do you tell him — the guy who is Ballon d’Or, who extended his contract with an astronomical salary, who is supposed to perform with the Blues?”

Dugarry recalls that Dembélé had only nine Ligue 1 starts the previous season, and insists on the message being sent: “It’s no big deal, he’s Ballon d’Or… Do you realize what image you’re sending of the Ballon d’Or? He deserved it well, but playing him one match in three, what’s the idea?”