AC Milan is reportedly stepping up its pursuit of Strasbourg`s promising right-back, Guéla Doué. The 22-year-old defender has emerged as a key target for the Rossoneri as they seek to bolster their options on the right flank.
Doué comes from a family deeply embedded in professional football. He is the older brother of Desiré Doué, a rising talent currently at Paris Saint-Germain. Anecdotes from their youth trials at Rennes paint a picture of shared ambition, with both brothers initially being placed in defensive roles before diverging into their current positions – Guéla as a fullback, Desiré as a more attacking player.
Guéla`s transition to right-back wasn`t immediate. Starting as a central defender, his significant height for his age (reportedly 1.85m at 15) seemed to peg him for a future in the heart of the defense. However, a coach at Rennes saw potential for him wide, initiating an experiment that proved highly successful and permanently shifted his role.
His playing style is characterized by strong athleticism and defensive diligence. While not known for being a prolific scorer (with only two senior goals to his name), Doué possesses a good foot and is capable of contributing in attack. He is described as a meticulous perfectionist, dedicated to self-improvement. According to reports, he actively utilizes video analysis tools like Wyscout to review his performances, a testament to his professional approach.
Perhaps one of the most revealing moments of his career came during a Europa League encounter against AC Milan when he was still at Rennes. Tasked with marking Rafael Leao, Doué faced a significant challenge. The duel reportedly did not go well for the young defender, an experience he found intensely frustrating, allegedly losing sleep over his performance. This anecdote highlights not a weakness, but a profound desire to learn and improve from difficult moments. One can only hope his preparation for a potential move to San Siro involves thoroughly analyzing that particular match – perhaps to exorcise a minor tactical demon.
This past season, Doué established himself as a reliable and effective right-back in Ligue 1 for Strasbourg, contributing to their solid seventh-place finish. His versatility is also noted, with experience not just in central defense but, curiously, even a couple of appearances cited in a deeper midfield role – demonstrating a willingness to adapt, if not always the technical profile one might expect for such a position. His offensive contribution has grown, marked by his first senior assists, notably setting up his brother Desiré for a memorable family goal witnessed by their parents.
On the international stage, Guéla has chosen to represent Ivory Coast, aligning with his parents` heritage, a different path from his brother Desiré, who opted for France`s youth setups. This divergence adds another interesting layer to the family`s footballing story, which also includes cousins Yann Gboho and Marc-Olivier Doué playing professionally.
Sources close to the player describe him as intensely professional and work-focused, qualities highly valued by clubs like Milan. His reported interest in studying not only opponents and teammates but also football history makes him something of a walking database, a trait that could prove beneficial in understanding tactical nuances. At 22 (soon to be 23), he represents a player with significant potential for growth, potentially offering a long-term solution to AC Milan`s historically challenging right-back position. A move to Serie A would test his dedication and skills at a higher level, perhaps even leading to future encounters with his talented family members on club or international stages – hopefully with fewer sleepless nights this time around.
Ewan Marwood