Zidane redraws the map of France: Olise shines, Dembélé stumbles and Mbappé waits

Winners and losers at the start of Zizo's era

Four matches were enough for Zinedine Zidane to begin reshaping the France national team. Three wins and a draw, seven goals scored against just two conceded, and most importantly, he handed most of his players a chance to feature. He emerged from his first international camp with a list of winners and losers, and a few surprises that could change the look of Les Bleus in the next phase.

French website "Foot Mercato" reckon Zidane used more than two weeks of work to form an initial picture of his 23 available players, after involving almost everyone bar third-choice goalkeeper Jean Butez.

Olise: the standout star

Michael Olise was the camp's biggest beneficiary. Four goals in the last three matches confirmed him as one of the most decisive figures at the start of the Zidane era.

Those numbers strengthen his case for the right wing in a 4-3-3. Désiré Doué also left a strong impression, shining on the right flank against Belgium before scoring a goal and setting up two more in the following clash against Manchester United.

Rayan Cherki needed time to adapt to his new role as a complete midfielder, but he rediscovered his spark against Belgium. That may push Zidane to try the option again.

In midfield, Eduardo Camavinga returned strongly after missing the 2026 World Cup. Lucas Da Cunha, meanwhile, cemented his place as one of the phase's most prominent discoveries, despite his error against Italy.

Jacquet and Yoro: the defensive surprises

At the back, Jérémy Jacquet caught the eye with his physical strength and his boldness in building play. He looks like a long-term defensive project with the national team.

Lenny Yoro took full advantage of Ibrahima Konaté's last-minute absence. A notable display in the final match confirmed his ability to compete hard for a starting place.

At full-back, Adrien Truffert stood out as one of the most consistent performers, while Pierre Kalulu earned praise from the coaching staff for his dynamism, effort and tactical discipline. Andy Diouf delivered good performances too, though he still needs further confirmation.

Dembélé: the biggest loser?

The break was anything but ideal for Ousmane Dembélé. Zidane's idea of using him as an out-and-out striker was clear enough, yet the Paris Saint-Germain star failed to leave the expected mark against Turkey and Italy, and his output barely improved when he came on as a substitute against Belgium.

Back on the right wing in the fourth match, he again struggled to create space and wasted chances, becoming one of the biggest question marks in Zidane's calculations.

Dembélé was not alone in the losers' circle. Esteban Lepaul found it hard to show his technical ability at the highest level, while Bradley Barcola lost his race on the left wing to Doué and Mbappé and failed to impose himself. Magnes Akliouche worked hard but lacked boldness and decisiveness in front of goal.

Mbappé: the indirect winner

Here's the paradox: Kylian Mbappé may be one of the period's biggest beneficiaries, despite playing only once, against Turkey. The Frenchman never looked entirely comfortable on the left wing, even though he scored, and once he limped off injured, neither Dembélé nor Lepaul managed to exploit the out-and-out striker position.

Doué, by contrast, shone on the wing, and the harmony between him, Olise and Cherki came through. That could give Mbappé a chance to return to his preferred position in the heart of the attack during the next international break in November.

Four tests in, Zidane already appears to be drawing a new map for the France national team. On it, Olise, Doué, Yoro and Jacquet advance, while Dembélé, Barcola and Lepaul face a tough task to reclaim their standing.