Former Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Fernandez detailed that Neymar’s best position with the team may be as a central attacking midfielder.
Neymar featured for PSG in the team’s Ligue 1 fixture against Olympique Lyonnais. The Brazilian had been out of action due to an adductor injury. But after weeks of rehabbing, Neymar was able to recover just in time before the now ongoing March international break.
Fernandez sees that the international break has come at the right time for Neymar. The former PSG manager spoke to Le Parisien about Neymar’s recovery from injury.
“As for Neymar, he will be able to improve his physical condition even more, to be at the top for the resumption,” Fernandez said. “Now it’s up to him to refine his condition. He will finish the season well.
“We must hope that he will not be bothered by injuries. That’s what we can hope for, so that PSG can go as far as possible in the Champions League and why not go for the title of French champion.”
During the time that Neymar was out due to injury, multiple PSG players stepped up for the team. But now with Neymar back in the fold, PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino will have a difficult decision to make on just where to slot in Neymar in the team’s starting 11.
Even with Neymar’s versatility, Fernandez sees that the forward could be best suited in occupying the role as the team’s main playmaking talent.
“We must put him behind the three: Di Maria, Kean, Mbappé, in the heart of the game,” Fernandez said. “That’s his place. In his absence, Pochettino had put Draxler or Verratti. They tried to do the best but in this position, you need a player who triggers, who is able to eliminate, to make differences.
“But well, we can also put Mbappé in the position of center forward and Neymar on the left side. In any case, I can assure you that it is better for a coach to have several solutions than none.”
PSG’s first fixture following the ongoing international break will come against Lille. It will be noteworthy to see on the position that Neymar goes on to play in the match.
Want more PSG? Visit the PSG Talk Podcast Network page and subscribe to PSG Talking, The 1970, and 24th & Parc.
