Ousmane Dembele’s Limited Minutes Stir Debate Before PSG’s Clash with Manchester City
Paris Saint-Germain's approach to managing Ousmane Dembele has become a hot topic, as the Ballon d'Or winner sees limited action ahead of a critical Champions League match against Manchester City. Two well-known French pundits, Christophe Dugarry and Eric Di Meco, have voiced opposing views on whether resting Dembele so often is wise.
PSG’s Cautious Strategy
This season, PSG have been careful with Dembele’s minutes. The forward was completely rested during their 3-1 win over Le Mans, just like in a previous match versus Lille. The club told RMC Sport that this was to ensure Dembele is fresh for the upcoming Champions League showdown with Manchester City. Yet, Dembele's performances haven’t quite matched expectations recently; his form with France, where he captained the side against Italy and Belgium, was underwhelming, raising doubts about his current match fitness under manager Luis Enrique.
Dugarry Warns of Potential Fallout
"PSG must have information that we don't, but at some point, this will cause tension," said Christophe Dugarry. "His games for both PSG and France have been average, and this could affect him mentally. Are they scared he'll get injured or just saving him for February? How long will they keep him sidelined until then? This approach is very surprising."
Dugarry also criticized the message sent to Dembele as a Ballon d'Or winner. He asked what explanation would be given to a player who signed a huge contract and is expected to perform regularly if he's only played in one out of every three matches. "What kind of image does that send about the Ballon d'Or? Yes, he deserved it, but this usage seems strange," he added.
Di Meco Defends Luis Enrique’s Management
On the other side, Eric Di Meco stood up for the coach's decisions. He said, "If any coach has gotten 100 or even 120 percent out of Dembele by using him sparingly, it's Luis Enrique. Criticizing the man who helped you become double European champions seems unfair."
As PSG prepare to face Manchester City on Wednesday, Dembele is set to prove his worth and silence those questioning his role.
Upcoming Match Details
- Date: 14 October 2026
- Time: 22:00
- Fixture: Manchester City vs Paris Saint-Germain
