His first steps made everyone smile. Entering 20 minutes from time during the Champions Trophy against Toulouse (2-0) immediately after his signing, Lucas Beraldo received a particularly warm welcome from the Parc des Princes. The 20-year-old Brazilian smiled. Each of his touches of the ball was accompanied by a “Olééé” echoed by the 48,000 spectators present in the stadium. A great evening concluded with a first title.
But football always moves very quickly, in one direction or the other. Five weeks later, the first doubts began to emerge about his real level of play. The left-hander showed some shortcomings, a lack of aggressiveness, and a lower level than expected in training. However, with the long-standing injuries of Presnel Kimpembe, Milan Skriniar and Nuno Mendes, the technical staff needs a player quickly available, especially for the Champions League.
Luis Enrique: “Luis Campos did a very good job for this player”
Despite his initial checkered performances, he obviously retains the confidence of Luis Enrique. “He’s a January recruit. It’s usually difficult at this time but it’s already incredible. He performs at a high level. It shows his personality and his speed of integration. He can play both in the center and on one side. The important thing is that he can play both positions because it makes him confident. It’s a good reinforcement for this January transfer window, Luis Campos has done a very good job for this player.”
No doubt on the side of the coach, who has used the 20-year-old player six times already, four times in the central hinge and twice in the left lane. According to the Spaniard, the versatility of the new recruit does not serve him well, even if he is a player trained in the center. It remains to be seen whether Beraldo, recruited for €20 million (+€5 million bonus), showed a sufficient level to start in the Champions League against Real Sociedad. By including him on its UEFA list, PSG displays its confidence in him.
