Times have changed at PSG. The departures of Lionel Messi and Neymar marked the end of an era. The one where the names of the holders of the attacking trio were known from the start of the season, until its conclusion. Neymar-Mbappé-Messi, then nothingness. And too bad if the Brazilian was injured half the year and if he had to deal with pieces of string.
From now on, the coach can rely on an offensive sector made damn rich by the summer transfer window. Gonçalo Ramos, Marco Asensio, Kang-In Lee, Ousmane Dembélé, Bradley Barcola and Randal Kolo Muani have joined the Parisian ranks and given Luis Enrique an unprecedented variety of options at PSG. Never since QSI has such diversity been seen in the workforce. Even when Laurent Blanc had Ibrahimovic, Cavani, Lucas, Lavezzi, Pastore and Di Maria for example.
Luis Enrique does not put pressure on himself
In a press conference, after the resounding 4-1 victory against OL, Luis Enrique spoke about the management of this competition. “I have this very difficult task of choosing between them. But it’s something that I manage with pleasure. I have a very large team. Being the coach of a very big team is tough. We have seen that the previous coaches did not necessarily stay long. Me, what I want is to stay a long time”, he slipped. At the start of the season, not very vocal in the face of the press, he assured that his actions, through his team compositions, would speak for him.
We therefore saw against OL that Gonçalo Ramos, after two goalless starts against Lorient then Toulouse, had been benched, to favor Marco Asensio. The Spaniard, not a real number 9, was brilliant at Groupama Stadium, his technical finesse coexisting perfectly with the style put in place and with his partners. What make him a holder for the next matches? Not sure, because Randal Kolo Muani arrives, and Luis Enrique refuses to fix things.
Everything is open
Before the meeting on Sunday evening, he spoke about the situation of Ramos, recruited for the modest sum of 80 M€. “You will see, you will get to know me. I want 20 starters, not 11, 12 or 13. With 20 or 22 starters, we will be ready for all competitions. You will get to know me and you will see that the status of starter and substitute does not exist., he promised. In reality, it will not be so obvious when the clashes in Ligue 1 and the Champions League arrive.
Only one man seems to have his place assured, it is obviously Kylian Mbappé, but for the others, we must probably expect rotation. Advantage, players like Kolo Muani, Dembélé, Kang-In Lee, Asensio and Barcola can play in different positions. It is less true for Gonçalo Ramos or Hugo Ekitike. Because yes, we must not forget the French striker, who remained at the club. The only real alternative last season, the former Rémois is now relegated far in the hierarchy. Well, unless Luis Enrique is telling the truth.
