One of the more regular criticisms of the Thomas Tuchel era with Paris Saint-Germain was the team’s lack of an established team identity. But new PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino has plans to revamp the team’s identity and style of play.
This matter is one that has been a core issue even for the hierarchy within the club. PSG sporting director Leonardo recently touched upon this matter and spoke about just how crucial it is for the team to have a core identity that mirrors its strengths as a unit.
“I think it’s important to assert a style on the pitch,” Leonardo said. “Because Paris must have its identity. It does not happen in a few weeks but over several years. And I think Pochettino can allow us to refine that in a constant way and in connection with the DNA of the club.”
Pochettino is also echoing the importance of a team identity. He spoke to Cadena Ser’s El Laguero about this matter and while he did not go in-depth on his tactical plans and approach with the team, he did note how crucial it is to instill a stern identity with the team.
“It is clear that one is going to transmit the style that one feels,” Pochettino said. “The football that we like is one that aesthetics is important, but also aggressiveness and, little by little, we are also shaping and finding the identity that we all have to find together, that adaptation together to discover and get to know each other. Visions from outside often change ‘in situ’.
There have been some notable changes with the team’s playstyle and approach in the fixtures so far under Pochettino. Still, there is surely a long way to go before the team can fully play up to how the Argentine prefers the side to play.
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Hasn’t had an identity since Zlatan left.