Patrick Vieira has made Ismaël Doukouré a cornerstone of his RC Strasbourg Alsace side, even if the centre-back is still only 20 years of age.
Doukouré has started all 10 of Strasbourg's Ligue 1 Uber Eats games so far this season, initially playing in a back three with Gerzino Nyamsi and Lucas Perrin and latterly being paired with the former at the heart of a back four.
His versatility is just one of the skills head coach Patrick Vieira, a FIFA World Cup winner with France in 1998, appreciates about the former Valenciennes FC youngster "even if he only has six full months in Ligue 1 Uber Eats," he said ahead of le Racing's meeting with Clermont Foot 63 on Sunday.
Doukouré defiance
Vieira had Doukouré for company and the centre-back quickly shot back: "I don't have six months of Ligue 1. I already have a little experience, with Valenciennes and Strasbourg."
Such defiance might have ruffled Vieira's feathers, but it is the same confidence that has seen Doukouré average more than a successful take-on per game over the last year - putting him in the top percentile by that measure among centre-backs Europe-wide.
"He has very good qualities," Vieira continued. "He's able to bring the ball out from the back, to play between the lines. Now he needs more to take the next step: a change in intensity and aggression that will allow him to become a full international player."
