The World Cup has only just begun, but France's managerial merry-go-round is already spinning into overdrive. Didier Deschamps' tactical tinkering after the 3-1 win over Senegal has thrown up a fascinating conundrum: who should partner Kylian Mbappé in attack? The answer lies at the crossroads of Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise, two players with contrasting styles and fortunes.
Dembélé's international woes continue to haunt him. Despite his record-breaking exploits for Paris Saint-Germain – including a Ballon d'Or – he's struggled to replicate that magic on the global stage. His 40 touches against Senegal were fewer than Mbappé's 37, and France's attacking struggles in the first half only highlighted the issue.
Deschamps made a bold switch at half-time, shifting Dembélé to the right wing and unleashing Michael Olise into the heart of attack. It was a masterstroke that paid dividends, with Olise's clever passing allowing Mbappé to strike his 59th international goal – cementing his status as France's all-time leading scorer.
This dynamic duo is reminiscent of the partnership between Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann in days gone by. The latter provided more assists for Mbappé than any other player before his retirement, and Olise appears to be following in those footsteps – weaving a thread of creativity through the French midfield that unlocks defences.
The talent pool is deep, with Mbappé, Dembélé, Olise, and Désiré Doué combining for 97 goals and 157 assists last season. But translating this club form into a cohesive international unit is Deschamps' top priority – finding the perfect balance to maximise Mbappé's impact.
It seems Deschamps is ready to adapt, willing to push the buttons of his squad to find the winning formula. With one foot in the knockout stages already, France will be looking to this attacking quartet to deliver the goods and bring home that elusive World Cup title.
Source: Get French Football News