After a youthful metamorphosis with one real star in the dressing room: PSG faces a crucial test of the new club philosophy

Star spotters have been feeling cheated in Paris since this season. PSG has changed course after a failed experiment with Messi, Neymar and Mbappé. End of focus on commercial, start of sporting long-term thinking. “Although the stars of tomorrow will soon have to win the Champions League to save that image,” says Ligue 1 expert Sirik Geffray about the evolution in the French capital.

Ibrahimovic, Cavani, Di Maria, Mbappé, Neymar and even Messi.

There has been no shortage of stars in the French capital over the past decade. Millions of (oil) cents were sold for the biggest names. All to achieve that one main goal: winning the Champions League.

What turned out? On paper, chairman Nasser Al-Khelaïfi has so far been unable to bring the cup with the big ears to Paris. And due to the extinguished love between Kylian Mbappé – who already has one foot in Madrid – and the club, PSG had to change course.

“Now the only big star is trainer Luis Enrique,” Sirik Geffray describes the metamorphosis of Paris Saint-Germain.

The endless trudge of Messi, Neymar and Mbappé are a thing of the past.

Luis Enrique has caused a mental reset in the PSG selection. The Spanish selector is the boss and he sets clear lines with a strict hand: everyone has to work in his rotation system.

“Even the French super star has to settle for temporary supporting roles,” says Geffray. “That may be the biggest change of all: Enrique really has control over the dressing room.”

Not obvious in Paris. Just think of predecessors Pochettino or Tuchel, who collapsed due to internal pressure.

The team is less vulnerable in the head, because Enrique speaks with a lot of passion and confidence in the locker room.

Sirik Geffray

“Collectively, it has made the team stronger,” assures the French football commentator.

“The team is also less vulnerable in the head. A consequence of a man who speaks with a lot of passion and confidence in his core in the dressing room. The players are full of praise for him, although the fact that he regularly gives two days off for something in between.”

Above all, there is clarity in the Parc des Princes: those who want to give up the jersey and follow the coach’s plan will get their chances. Regardless of name, age or earnings.

Yet the Spaniard is not the only one who deserves credit.

Luis Campos has changed transfer policy since his arrival in 2022. The Portuguese advisor carefully selected growth brilliants from France, Portugal and Germany.

“All this for the long-term project, because Enrique would have time to build. Although he was also lucky with the results in the group stage, which PSG narrowly survived.”

But what if Kylian Mbappé closes the door behind him in Paris this summer? Then the club itself will launch the stars of tomorrow, is the new philosophy.

One of these is youth product and true Parisian Warren Zaire-Emery (18). He has already extended his contract until 2029. “But make no mistake, he is still only 23 years old,” says Geffray.

“I remember the first time I saw him, when he won the U17 European Championship with France. He stood head and shoulders above the rest and turned away from everyone as if they were not there. He has continued to play that daring, youthful football. “

PSG makes eager use of the midfielder’s background in marketing. That is precisely why he is already being mentioned as a future captain.

Sometimes Barcola reminds me of a young Thierry Henry.

Sirik Geffray

And then there is that other seasonal revelation who receives the trainer’s full confidence.

Not long ago, Bradley Barcola was ready with his suitcases to end up in Switzerland in anonymity. But Lyon gave him the opportunity to explode, after which the competitor from the capital did not hesitate.

“When PSG forked out 50 million, everyone kept thinking: that’s a lot for a substitute,” says Geffray. “But Enrique gave him a lot of chances, which paid off enormously against Barcelona.”

“Sometimes he reminds me of a young Thierry Henry at Monaco and with France at the 1998 World Cup. Slender, elastic and lightning fast,” concludes the expert. “That leads to wonderful, carefree football.”

Enough arguments to keep an extra eye on the duo in Dortmund tonight, right?