It was obviously necessary to have a former Lyonnais. Guest of RMC Monday evening to participate in L’After Foot, Pierre Sage delivered the eleven he would line up if he put on Didier Deschamps’ blue tunic for the World Cup. The Lensois technician indicated that it would be necessary to rely on the offensive strength of the Blues, « a system with four attacking players, probably a 4-2-3-1 ». Formerly of the Lyon house, Pierre Sage admitted that he would play his ex-foal, Rayan Cherki, in the number 10 position, behind Ballon d’or Ousmane Dembélé. On the sides: « Mbappé à gauche, Olise à droite. »
💀 @walidacherchour: “What would be your 11 as EDF coach for this World Cup?” ðŸ—£ï¸ Pierre Sage: “We would need a 4-2-3-1 with Cherki behind the attacker, Dembélé at the forefront, Mbappé on the left, Olise on the right…” pic.twitter.com/t3WT5BNELZ
— After Foot RMC (@AfterRMC) May 25, 2026
Homogeneity for the rest
For the rest of the team, the recent winner of the Coupe de France didn’t really get wet. He recognized that there were many possible combinations in the middle and the need to have a left back « able to take space for Mbappé to come inside ».
Finally, Koundé would liven up the right lane while Mike Maignan would guard the cage, to the despair of his little Lens protégé Robin Risser. For central defenders, Upamecano and Konaté are his preference, but Saliba is not far behind.
Rather Sage or Zidane for the post-Deschamps era?
2026 World Cup: Ousmane Dembélé sees France going all the way
