Is Ousmane Dembele Under Threat In The France Line-Up Ahead Of Massive Italy Clash?

Kylian Mbappé's injury withdrawal puts Ousmane Dembélé at the heart of France's attacking responsibilities. Backed by his Ballon d'Or victory, the forward boasts 69 caps and 13 goals for Les Bleus. Head coach Zinédine Zidane retains full faith in his key player. Yet, several voices are questioning his untouchable status and calling for fresh options in attack.

The debate comes as Zinédine Zidane draws inspiration from the tactical setup deployed by Luis Enrique at Paris Saint-Germain. The national team boss is indeed deploying the French international in a central number nine role. This tactical shift requires precise adjustments in the final third to make the most of the Paris star's creativity. The system still needs to find its collective rhythm to fully convince on the international stage.

The Paris Saint-Germain forward's recent output has raised valid questions during this early-season international camp. Handed a starting berth in the 0-1 win over Turkey in Izmit, he delivered a performance widely viewed as underwhelming. Dropped to the bench against Belgium in Brussels, his second-half introduction nevertheless coincided with another 0-1 victory.

Hosting Italy this Friday, October 2, 2026 at the Stade de France provides the ideal stage to dispel those lingering doubts. This high-profile UEFA Nations League fixture gives the Paris Saint-Germain attacker the perfect platform to silence his critics with decisive attacking output. A commanding display against the Italian side would firmly cement his status as the technical leader for the remainder of the international campaign.