France’s head coach Didier Deschamps has dismissed talk of a brewing conflict with Paris Saint-Germain following the injuries of Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue during international duty, insisting there is no animosity between club and country.
Dembele, PSG’s top scorer last season and a strong contender for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, limped off during France’s 2-0 victory over Ukraine in a World Cup qualifier on Friday, September 5, and has been ruled out for six to eight weeks. Doue, who also suffered an injury in the same match, is expected to miss at least a month of action — a bitter setback for PSG as they prepare to defend their Champions League crown.
The Parisian giants reacted strongly on Sunday, September 7, writing to the French Football Federation (FFF) to demand “greater transparency and a collaborative coordination protocol” between club and national team medical staff. PSG stressed that they had provided “concrete” medical reports about player workload, but alleged that their advice was ignored, leaving their stars vulnerable.
With tensions threatening to boil over, Deschamps stepped in on Monday to calm the storm. Speaking ahead of France’s clash against Iceland at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday, the 56-year-old coach defended the professionalism of his medical team. “We worked progressively with the players, and always take into account how they feel. PSG are not our adversary, never have been. The clubs are partners, even if our priorities sometimes differ — that is normal,” Deschamps said.
He argued that player well-being remains the French camp’s top priority, citing the cases of Manchester City forward Rayan Cherki and Arsenal defender William Saliba. Both players picked up injuries recently and, after medical scans were reviewed by France’s doctors, were excused from joining the national camp to avoid unnecessary strain.
For PSG, the latest injuries are particularly painful as they follow a grueling summer schedule. The squad had only a brief break after reaching the final of the FIFA Club World Cup in July, raising questions about player burnout. With Dembele sidelined for nearly two months and Doue ruled out for weeks, Luis Enrique’s squad depth will be put to the test ahead of crucial Ligue 1 and European fixtures.
Despite the frustrations, Deschamps maintained a conciliatory tone, making it clear that the French national team values its relationship with PSG and other clubs. “Our only opponent is Iceland,” he stressed. Yet, the fallout has reignited the long-standing debate over the balance of power between club managers and national coaches when it comes to player fitness, a battle that could shape the rest of the season for both Les Bleus and PSG.
