Ousmane Dembélé, who scored six goals at the 2026 World Cup, has faced difficulties adjusting to the coaching style of Zinédine Zidane after the tournament. His recent performances, including matches against Turkey and Italy, have been criticized as ineffective, with Dembélé failing to make a significant impact on the field. Dembélé, who previously played on the right wing under Didier Deschamps, is now expected to take on a central attacking role—often referred to as a N.9 or pseudo N.9—in a 4-3-3 system under Zidane. This position is similar to the one he occupies at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) under Luis Enrique. However, in three appearances, including two starts, he has struggled to find his place within Zidane's system. With Kylian Mbappé sidelined due to injury, Dembélé was expected to play a crucial role in the French attack. However, he has not been able to take on the technical leadership role, allowing Michael Olise to step into the spotlight and score in recent matches. Zidane has expressed satisfaction with Dembélé's performance, noting that he is pleased with the player's movement on the field. Dembélé, in turn, has stated that he is content with his role in the national team and his responsibilities, which are similar to those he has at PSG. Dembélé has highlighted his versatility, stating that he can play in various positions and enjoys the freedom given to him by Zidane. He is aware of the high expectations placed upon him and has acknowledged the need to score goals and make decisive passes. The public exchange between Dembélé and Mbappé regarding the Ballon d'Or may have added pressure on him. While he has assured that there are no issues with Mbappé, media reports suggest that their relationship has cooled following this incident. It remains to be seen whether Zidane's offensive setup, with Mbappé on the left and Dembélé in the center, will yield results. Until Mbappé's return, Dembélé must focus on addressing the current debates and skepticism during the upcoming match against Belgium.