Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino once again did not feature both Xavi Simons and Edouard Michut in a Ligue 1 match. Ismael Gharbi wound up being the lone PSG prospect who featured in the home fixture against Troyes, as he played in a mere one minute of the contest.
In his post-match press conference (via L’Equipe), Pochettino was asked about the decision to not play multiple prospects in this league fixture with the title already locked up. The Argentine manager defended his comments made earlier in the season about playing time for the team’s prospects, and he also went ahead to note that they have received “more minutes than expected” to grow within PSG.
“I did say that maybe they will have more minutes,” Pochettino said. “I think that on the subject of youth, we had a dense squad, both at the beginning of the season and in January. … This made it difficult for them to play, even though they deserved it and could have done so. … Since we arrived here a year and a half ago, I think we have trusted several young players, including El Chadaille (Bitshiabu), who joined us in training at the age of 15. Gharbi, Michut and Simons, who were able to train with us from the age of 17. They need time and space.
“Looking at the composition of our squad, I think the youngsters have had more minutes than expected to develop with the first team. … The most important thing is the future and therefore next season, where we will have to build a squad that offers the youngsters the space to play.”
PSG now has two matches remaining in the campaign. Much attention sure will center on whether the Argentine manager will provide any playing time minutes to the likes of Simons and Michut in these upcoming fixtures.
