Pochettino had a serious conundrum at Paris Saint-Germain – the arrival of Messi
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="1" > IAN LADYMAN: Mauricio Pochettino has a real problem to solve in Lionel Messi... The superstar is used to being the main character</h1>
Mauricio Pochettino had to solve the conundrum of owning Lionel Messi at Paris Saint-Germain
Eight days ago, the Paris Saint-Germain manager replaced Messi, messi was upset, Messi did not shake hands with Pochettino
Pochettino must decide how to use Messi with Neymar and Mbappe
Under the watchful eye of Paris Saint-Germain bosses and sponsors, Pochettino had to make it work
During his time at Tottenham, Mauricio Pochettino used to sit on a couch at the entrance to the cafeteria, observing the mood of his players.
Once, he saw a first-team member choose a plate of lasagna for lunch an hour before training, and he immediately stopped it. The meal, he thought, was too heavy. Therefore, we can think of Pochettino as a coach who often grasps small details.
Pochettino Had a serious conundrum in Paris Saint-Germain – the arrival of Lionel Messi
After being substituted against Lyon, Messi walked past Pochettino without shaking hands with Pochettino
It's not that Messi won't contribute to the small details of his career. It's just that he's the "big detail" signed by the French club.
Signing him is not meant to address the specific needs that Pochettino emphasized, nor to adapt to a particular game model. The purpose of signing him is to put him on the field, and the fans are coming to see Messi.
In the Champions League next Tuesday in Paris, Messi may not be able to play against Manchester City. The former Barcelona player has knee problems. But when he was substituted eight days ago when chasing a winning goal against Lyon, he did not shake hands with the manager but walked past him.
Pochettino later hinted that Messi already felt knee pain, so he decided to replace him.
Pochettino doesn't need Messi, but must use him with Neymar and Mbappe
By far the simplest fact is that Pochettino's side doesn't need Messi, nor new centre-backs and goalkeepers. Anyone who has seen them attack so quickly but defence so weakly against Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City will tell you this.
Messi remains a supreme genius. He may even remain the best player in the world. Similarly, he's a superstar who's been in Barcelona for 10 years, and he knows that if one morning he walks into the training ground and suggests painting the grass blue, the decorators will be on site within an hour. Those who played with the 34-year-old at Camp Nou spoke of his majesty and rare talent.
In Paris Saint-Germain, that would not be the case – at least, not in Pochettino's view. In Paris, Messi had to be forced into an attacking team already made up of Brazilian Neymar and young French star Kylian Kylian Mbappe.
Messi is a genius, and Paris Saint-Germain bosses want to see Pochettino successfully integrate him
Messi
Of course. But the point here is that it has to be done, and that's something Pochettino is trying to solve, as Messi is unlikely to accept any other role besides striker and center forward. Messi seemed to come to Paris Saint-Germain like a gift from God. Would Pochettino see it that way? If he hasn't made up his mind, can we forgive him?