Desire Doue: Dribbling Prodigy or Overhyped? Why Top Clubs Are Chasing the Rennes Starlet

After the 2023-24 season, several top European clubs have shown interest in 19-year-old Rennes player Desire Doue. Tottenham, Manchester United, Arsenal, and Chelsea are all interested in the young Frenchman, while Bayern München and PSG have already made official offers to sign him.

Rennes rejected Bayern’s initial transfer request of €35 million, believing that Doue is worth more, especially since PSG is ready to compete with a larger offer.

It’s unclear whether Bayern München and PSG are prepared to offer Doue significant playing time next season, given that he wasn’t a consistent starter at Rennes. During the 2022/23 season, he only played an average of 43 minutes per game, and in the 2023/24 season, he averaged 53 minutes.

In April 2023, Doue was substituted 18 minutes after coming on as a substitute in a match against Lyon, which led to dissatisfaction from the coach, Bruno Génésio.

Doue hasn’t fully earned the trust of his club’s coaching staff and often comes on as a substitute, reflecting both his talent and his lack of readiness to be a key player. 

Given these circumstances, it seems that Bayern München and PSG are considering signing Doue to strengthen their squads in the long term, as it’s unlikely that he’s ready to compete with the main players of these top clubs immediately.

Name	Desire Doue
Date of Birth	3 June 2005 (19 y/o)
Position	Attacking midfielder, right forward
Height	181 cm
Current Club	Stade Rennais (Contract until 30 June 2026)
Former Club	Stade Rennais
Transfer Value	€31M
National Team	France U-23

The €35 Million Dribbling Prodigy: Why Bayern and PSG Want Stade Rennes’ Desire Doue

Why are Bayern München and PSG willing to pay over 35 million for a young player who isn’t even a regular at Stade Rennais? The reason is that the kid has an incredible ability to dribble the ball from almost any area on the pitch. While he primarily uses his right foot, Doue is also proficient with his left foot.

Doue may not have the agility of Lamine Yamal or Luis Diaz, but he possesses excellent ball control with both feet and can outmaneuver opponents with his quick dribbles and changes of pace.

Last season, Doue averaged 2.1 successful dribbles per match, with a 67% success rate. These impressive stats have certainly captured the attention of European clubs. Additionally, the young Frenchman excels at creating space for his teammates, thereby increasing the likelihood of successful plays.

Desire is capable of beating opponents in a 1v1 situation and a 1v2 scenario, whether on the flanks or in the central areas of the pitch. He is comfortable receiving the ball in both his own half and the opponent’s half, as well as on either flank.

Having a midfielder like Desire in the lineup can be incredibly beneficial. If the opponent tries to defend compactly, a dribbler like Doue can disrupt their defensive structure by taking on one or two opponents.

The Relentless Desire Doue: Winning the Ball Back in Attack and Defense

Desire Doue is not only strong in dribbling but also excels in pressing and counter-pressing. He is very energetic and aggressive in tackling when possession is lost, even if the opponent is 10-20 meters away.

Such discipline and relentlessness are invaluable in modern football, where every player must demonstrate maximum focus on regaining possession in transitions from attack to defense. This quality often sets apart the best players from the rest, and Doue embodies this trait with aplomb.

Last season, Doue averaged more than one tackle and three possession returns per match, impressive stats for an attacking player. Additionally, the Frenchman has a 54% ground duels won rate, confirming his assertiveness in the defensive phase and his ability to impose the fight on opponents

Beyond the Dribbling: What Doue Needs to Become a Top Midfielder

Despite displaying strong attributes in his game, Desire Doue also possesses several weaknesses. Although he is only 19 years old and there is ample room for improvement, Doue cannot be likened to Eduardo Camavinga or Aurélien Tchouaméni in terms of talent and the ambition to play for a top club.

Doue rarely participates in complex combinations or executes difficult penetrating passes. His pass accuracy in the opponent’s half stands at 72%, which may be influenced by his current team’s style of play.

Much of Doue’s game relies on dribbling, limiting his attacking variation, making him a predictable player who can be individually halted by top-class defensive players.

Moreover, Doue has yet to demonstrate proficiency in operating successfully in the area between the lines, a crucial quality for an attacking midfielder.

What Would Doue Deliver for PSG or Bayern?

Currently, PSG boasts many functional, good passing midfielders who can move the ball effectively through precise passes. However, Doue could be a great option in a 4-3-3 formation as an attacking box-to-box midfielder with strong dribbling abilities.

This addition could add more diversity to the reigning French champion’s play, especially since one of their main dribblers, Vitinha, was utilized in a defensive position last season.

Desire Doue may not be ready to compete with Bradley Barcola on the left side of the attack, as his passing and dribbling are less diverse. Nevertheless, Desire could be a valuable addition to PSG’s midfield. The main question is whether Desire Doue will progress in the future and whether it’s worth paying more than 35 million euros for him now.

At Bayern München, the young Frenchman could potentially serve as an alternative for Serge Gnabry on the left wing or for Thomas Müller in the central area. Gnabry missed many games last season due to injuries, and at 34 years old, Müller may not be capable of playing 90 minutes in every match.

Therefore, Desire Doue could help Bayern München rejuvenate the lineup and provide more playing opportunities for the highly talented Jamal Musiala in his preferred central zone position.

Conclusion

19-year-old Desire Doue has yet to establish himself as a regular starter at Stade Rennais, but two European giants, Bayern München and PSG, are already vying for his signature.

Doue possesses a terrific ability to beat opponents on the left and right flank effectively and can also play as a versatile midfielder. He excels in pressing and counter-pressing, crucial attributes for any modern top club aiming for league titles.

However, Doue’s passing accuracy and quality in the opponent’s half are currently modest. In addition, he lacks stability and effective positioning between the lines, which could hinder his chances of securing a spot in the main squad of top clubs.

Bayern München and PSG both need midfield reinforcements, but I doubt Desire Doue will help them increase their chances of success next season. He may well need more time to progress in the Stade Rennais squad, especially as his contract expires in two years.

This means that next summer will be pivotal in determining whether the young talent has made sufficient progress to justify a transfer fee exceeding 35 million euros. Moving to a big club prematurely often results in talented players struggling for regular playing time, as seen with many who transferred too Bayern München and PSG too early.

On the other hand, Desire Doue can show mental toughness and make significant strides by training with higher-caliber partners.

Whatever the case, it will be very interesting to follow the further development of this exceptional dribbling midfielder’s career.