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Has Paris-Saint Germain already found a replacement for their main striker Kylian Mbappe?
Paris Saint-Germain surprised many during the summer transfer period by not finding a direct replacement for Kylian Mbappé (25) after his free transfer to Real Madrid. However, with Bradley Barcol (22)’s impressive start to the season, PSG may have confirmed their decision to skip signing another left winger.
Barcola, a former Lyon player, joined the Ligue 1 champions in the summer of 2023. Lyon fans were confused by his selection, given the stiff competition in Luis Enrique’s attacking line. Mbappé was seen as almost irreplaceable in Paris and with Barcola preferring to play on the left, it seemed likely that he would see limited playing time.
Initially, this concern proved to be correct as the Lyon academy graduate initially struggled to secure a place in the starting line-up. However, before the end of the previous season, he gradually established himself as a reliable option next to Mbappé.
Now that the France captain has moved to Spain, Barcola has emerged as a key player for PSG this season. Could he be the solution to fill the Mbappé void?
Having started out as a striker in Lyon’s youth academy, scoring has always been a part of Barcola’s game, an aspect he has sought to improve. Although he showed effectiveness in attacking positions during his time at PSG and Lyon, he often played a creative role rather than a finishing role, netting 9 goals in 51 games in his first two Ligue 1 seasons.
However, Barcola seems to have upped his shooting skills this season. He currently leads the league with 6 goals in his first 6 games. Despite starting every game, he did not play the full 90 minutes each time, totaling 374 minutes of action. His strike rate translates into a goal every 62 minutes, ranking him among the elite in Europe.
There has been a lack of confidence since Barcola arrived at Lyon, but the added responsibility seems to have opened up new potential this season. He took a leading role in attack and embodied the concept of leading by example through his performances.
With remarkable skills and impressive dribbling, Barcola creates spectacular moments on the pitch. Defensively, his tireless work ethic and efficiency in regaining possession make him an ideal player to coach. After putting together all his attributes, the 21-year-old has become indispensable this season, making Mbappé’s departure much more manageable for PSG.
