France face a transition under Zinedine Zidane, and Ousmane Dembélé is in the firing line. French legend Acherchour warns the new manager may sacrifice the Barça winger, just as Didier Deschamps did before him.
Why is Dembélé under threat?
The 29-year-old playmaker has endured ups and downs under Deschamps. France’s last result: 2-0 Morocco on July 9, 2026, a win that sealed third place at the 2026 World Cup. Yet Acherchour insists Dembélé deserves more respect from the staff. « He gave everything, but you sense his weariness », the ex-player says. Observers add that Zidane, tipped to replace Deschamps, may favor younger or more versatile profiles.
Is Zidane the favorite to take over?
Since the World Cup ended, names have piled up for the manager’s job. Zidane is the frontrunner, despite no club coaching experience. French fans hope for a fresh start, but some fear the Ballon d’Or winner could repeat Deschamps’ mistakes. « 14 years of Deschamps is too long », Acherchour argues, pointing to players like Karim Benzema or Alexandre Lacazette sidelined for too long.
What’s at stake for the team?
France exited the World Cup unbeaten, on a five-game winning streak before the third-place decider. Yet internal tensions could weaken the squad. Konaté owns up: « Three defeats hurt », referring to the two group-stage losses before the comeback. Substitutes, proud to have played for third place, downplay the criticism. « We were really proud to wear the shirt », Bellone explains.
Next test: a meaningless match?
This Friday, July 18, 2026, France face England at home. A meaningless friendly, but a test for Zidane. Ex-international Riolo scoffs: « This match has no value », echoing skepticism over the fixture. The Bleus must show they can move on without Deschamps under new leadership.
