Bought for €90 million last summer by Paris Saint-Germain after having made a splash in Germany in the space of a season at Eintracht Frankfurt, Randal Kolo Muani had a hard time justifying the heavy investment made by the Parisian decision-makers. And for good reason, his record at the end of his first season with the capital club is not great (12 goals scored, 6 assists in 43 matches in all competitions). And while the reigning French champion, orphaned by Kylian Mbappé who left for Real Madrid, was trying to attract a renowned scorer in the person of Victor Osimhen, the former Nantes player saw his name appear on the tablets of Atlético de Madrid during the summer transfer window. Having never heard of this rumor, the Tricolore took stock of his eventful summer.
“Atlético Madrid? I didn’t hear them. It didn’t reach my ears. In my circle, it didn’t sink in. I just arrived, I haven’t proven myself yet! It’s up to me to continue working, to be there when the coach calls me like I do here (in the French team, editor’s note). It’ll be fine, I think.” he said on the airwaves of Telefoot. Clearly, leaving the French capital has never been part of the possibilities for the current number 23 of PSG. Formerly blocked by the presence of Kylian Mbappé, the Bondynois has the field clear to make his mark, and this, especially with the long-term absence of Gonçalo Ramos, affected in the ankle against Le Havre (4-1) during the first day of Ligue 1 and unavailable for three months, which has left a big void on the front of the Parisian attack.
RKM keeps the coach’s confidence
Even in the most complicated moments, Randal Kolo Muani has the ability to never doubt and to face the storm. Proof of this was during the international break in September. While the French team was approaching its second Nations League match in a tense context following the slap received against Italy (1-3) at the Parc des Princes, the French striker put everyone in agreement by delivering his team on a shot deflected by the unfortunate Wout Faes. Scorer for the 6th time in 23 appearances in the tricolor jersey, the 25-year-old striker continued his great momentum in the French team, almost two months after his goal in the semi-final of Euro 2024 against Spain. Enough to give him confidence in the club for the coming season?
With 2 goals in 4 Ligue 1 games since the restart, Randal Kolo Muani remains confined to a second-string role, like his entry into the game against Stade Brestois (3-1 victory for the Parisians) this Saturday. Nevertheless, his coach Luis Enrique retains a high opinion of him. Questioned in the preamble to the reception of the Breton club for the 4th day of the French championship, the Asturian coach seemed convinced that “RKM” had not yet given the best version of himself.I’m always looking for the best version of Kolo Muani, and I think you’re going to see the best version of Kolo Muani. And when he’s at his best, he’s a very high-level player.“, the Spaniard said to journalists. The answer will be in three days against Girona, the first test of this new edition of the Champions League for the Parisians.
