It was a great opportunity to score points. Established for the first time this season on the Paris Saint-Germain attack front, Mika Godts was inevitably expected this Saturday evening against Le Mans. After a period of acclimatization during which he had shown some interesting qualities, without really convincing, the Belgian international now had to move up a gear after this international break. And on paper, it’s difficult to dream of a better opponent than a Le Mans FC team well within their reach, who did not refuse the game and left spaces to exploit.
But ultimately, Godts completely missed his appointment. Very little in sight, rarely found by his partners and visibly lacking juice, the former Ajax player has never managed to weigh on the opposing defense. Unable to differentiate between the ball and the duel, he got through the match without really showing himself to be dangerous, with only one shot to sink his teeth into. A particularly disappointing performance given the context, while the Belgian had a real card to play in shaking up the Parisian offensive hierarchy.
Services too smooth
And the statistics confirm this impression. With 16 lost balls, the highest total of the match having played only 58 minutes, Godts multiplied the approximations. He only completed one dribble out of five attempts and won only 56% of his duels. Far too little for a player of his profile, especially against an opponent who offered opportunities to express himself offensively. And to make matters worse, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who came on in his place, found the net on one of his first opportunities. A contrast necessarily difficult to ignore.
Because beyond this missed performance, it is Godts’ place in the Parisian rotation that raises questions. With an attacking trio already well established, the Belgian must prove that he can become this fourth option capable of turning a match around. A role that Bradley Barcola was able to take on last season, unblocking several situations. At the moment, Godts still seems to lack the confidence and spontaneity to fully express his qualities. And if he wants to gain ground in Luis Enrique’s hierarchy, he will quickly have to show a completely different face.
