July 6, 2023, 5:16 PM
July 6, 2023, 5:16 PM
The era of Luis Enrique at Paris SG begins with promises of a good game, but it can already be seen under the shadow of Kylian Mbappé, the star striker wanted by Real Madrid and pressured by the Parisian president Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
Communication war. “He can’t leave for free,” said ‘NAK’ about the 24-year-old star, who, should he leave at the end of his contract in 2024, could deprive PSG of one of the best players in the world without a return in the form of a transfer. PSG expects to receive a figure between 100 and 200 million euros (109 and 217 million dollars) for the striker.
The Parisian leader recalled Mbappé’s ‘verbal agreement’ for which he would have stated that he would not go free, and his public statements alluding to a three-year contract, until 2025, and not two. In the New York Times, the Frenchman had also pointed out that a departure at the end of the contract “is not the best way to leave.”
But now it seems to be Mbappé who has the hand in the game: PSG has no real way to pressure his departure, if there was an offer this European summer, nor to make him renew his contract.
The player must be decided “before two weeks maximum”, and ‘Nasser’ assures that it is “non-negotiable”, but contractual law assists Mbappé. PSG is left to appeal to public pressure and the feelings of the player.
“I know Kylian well, he is a fantastic player, a fantastic boy, a gentleman”, added the president, who does not give up hope of a new extension of Mbappé’s contract after the one signed last summer.
This new twist in the Mbappé case has eclipsed the arrival on the bench of the Parque de los Príncipes of the Spanish coach Luis Enrique.
“Luis Enrique is our man”, confirmed Nasser Al-Khelaifi. “The fans want to see their team put beautiful football into practice, I also want to enjoy watching my team play.”
Beyond the Mbappé case, the conquest of the Champions League cannot become an obsession disabling for the Parisian team.
“I love having that pressure, blessed pressure, That yes there are seven or eight teams with the same level and also with a superior experience to ours in Europe, but that they have a superior experience does not mean that we cannot reach it”, admitted Luis Enrique.
“I hope I can repay this trust with important trophies”, he assured.
The Asturian, former Spain coach, cleared the balls that came to him in his press conference of presentation on the N.7.
“I have all the players who have a current contract with the team, and also with those we are trying to sign, I also have those, who are they? That is already part of the day to day, and the market, and more so in this football, is changing continuously, “said Luis Enrique during his presentation at the Poissy training center.
Luis Enrique He is convinced that he will have “a great team”, with or without Mbappé.
