The biggest stylistic clue may be the rise of Michael Olise. Reports suggest the left-footed creator has become a central figure in the new shape, operating behind Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé rather than simply holding width. That matters.
Olise gives France rhythm between the lines:
That is a different look from the more direct, safety-first versions of Deschamps’ team. If Mbappé remains the devastator and Dembélé the chaos-maker, Olise increasingly looks like the player who can make the attack breathe.
The report says France’s shift gathered pace after painful defeats in major games, particularly against Spain. That tracks with the wider criticism Deschamps has faced: too much talent, not always enough attacking ambition. A more open France may carry more risk, but it also feels closer to the profile of the squad.
There is still a tension here. Being more entertaining is not the same as being more successful.
Mbappé’s second quote is the one that really matters: “É um time mais forte? Teremos que ver os resultados, mas podemos mirar alto com essa equipe.” That is the challenge in one sentence. France may be evolving, and the attacking pieces may finally fit more naturally, but tournaments do not reward promise. They reward precision under pressure.
The next storyline is obvious: whether this bolder France can turn stylistic progress into knockout-round authority when the 2026 World Cup arrives.