We are not expecting a crazy crowd this Tuesday, late in the afternoon, at the Hainaut stadium, but the VAFC training center will show up in force. “ We will be there with all the players and all the staff », confirms Simon Raux, who manages the Valencian nursery. This is a great opportunity to admire a former resident and to measure the progress made by Ismaël Doukouré, born in Lille in July 2003.
He saw everything before others and displayed great maturity
It must be said that it went very quickly for this young man who arrived in U15 at VA, convinced that there would be a better chance of turning pro than at Lille, his previous club. In the summer of 2020, he made a giant leap, from the U17s to the pro team, then in Ligue 2 and coached by Olivier Guégan.
« He is a very serious person on and off the field, with an impeccable mentality in school and in life.assures Simon Raux. He had prepared with the pros and stayed with them. He did not need to complete his entire training course. He saw everything before others and displayed great maturity. »
A stone’s throw from LOSC before Strasbourg
In the Valencian jersey (33 matches, 1 goal), Ismaël Doukouré impresses with his relaxation in central defense, despite his young age. To the point of quickly attracting attention. In the summer of 2021, at just 18 years old, he was selected for the Tokyo Olympics, more to compensate for the cascade of defections at the time, but his presence already demonstrated an already very high rating.
At the end of August 2021, he is on the verge of returning to LOSC on the last day of the transfer window. Negotiations ultimately failed over the amount of the transfer.
Baticle appreciates its versatility
Only a few months will pass before Ligue 1 opens up to him. At the start of 2022, he went to Strasbourg for 1.5 million euros and is worth almost ten times more today. In Alsace, he made his mark and is now playing number 6.
« He has technical, tactical and athletic qualities which allow him to play in several positions. It’s a sign of intelligence », Estimates Gérald Baticle, the Espoirs coach. Exactly the mark he left at VA.
France ESPOIRS – GERMANY ESPOIRS, this Tuesday evening, at 6:15 p.m., at the Hainaut stadium in Valenciennes, live on the L’Équipe channel.
