Reuters
Soccer Football – Ligue 1 – Paris St Germain v Olympique Lyonnais – Parc des Princes, Paris, France – September 19, 2021 Paris St Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino with Lionel Messi as he is subsituted REUTERS/Benoit Tessier TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Reuters
Soccer Football – Ligue 1 – Paris St Germain v Olympique Lyonnais – Parc des Princes, Paris, France – September 19, 2021 Paris St Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino with Lionel Messi as he is subsituted REUTERS/Benoit Tessier TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Lionel Messi won his seventh Ballon d’Or this month and the expectations are high for another one to follow. He broke a lot of records last season with his goals and assists, but things have been harder this year, following his move to Paris Saint Germain. Moreover, apparently, new manager Mauricio Pochettino is to blame for his misery.
It’s not like PSG haven’t been successful, given they have opened up an 11 point lead sitting at the top of Ligue 1, and are likely to win the trophy again. However, the club has been relatively quiet in the UEFA Champions League, and Messi is not playing his best either.
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Lionel Messi’s entourage doesn’t believe in Pochettino anymore
Messi has only scored once in the league and while he has been good in the UCL, things are different domestically. It’s hard to envisage a better squad than the one PSG has, as the team is stacked in every single position, and yet, Pochettino hasn’t been able to dominate games like he’s expected to do.
According to L’Equipe, there are several doubts in the minds of Messi’s entourage about Pochettino’s tactical abilities and game plan. Their reservations are understandable, considering what Pochettino has at his disposal, including a front three of Messi, Neymar Jr., and Kylian Mbappe.
Lionel Messi is not the only one having problems with Pochettino
Moreover, according to a report from English publication Joe, sources close to the club have told L’Equipe that Pochettino has ‘lost credit’ with some of his squad as a result of his approach. If a squad like PSGs, with its star power, is having some problems with the manager, the PSG board will have to act accordingly.
Reuters
Soccer Football – Ligue 1 – Paris St Germain v Olympique Lyonnais – Parc des Princes, Paris, France – September 19, 2021 Paris St Germain’s Lionel Messi reacts REUTERS/Benoit Tessier
PSG had one of the best transfer windows of all time after signing Sergio Ramos and Lionel Messi for free. They also added Gini Wijnaldum, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Achraf Hakimi to the squad. However, their results don’t reflect the team’s strengths.
It’ll be interesting to see if Pochettino can turn the ship around in the UCL, but if he can’t, then he won’t be in Paris for long.
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