Neymar da Silva Santos Jr has no more place to hide. The world’s most expensive footballer is the last man standing from the fabled MNM attacking trident that promised so much and delivered so little. Club president Nasser Al Khelaifi’s decision to dismantle a galactico based approach to chasing Champions League glory has witnessed the departure of Lionel Messi to American MLS club Inter Miami and a contract stand off with Parc des Princes record scorer Kylian Mbappe Lottin, leaving Neymar as the go to player for Luis Enrique’s side.
Neymar himself was a target of discontented fans last season as they expressed their displeasure at the direction the club was taking by demonstrating in front of his home.
Brazil’s record scorer has since been a subject of feverish speculation linking him to the nouveau riche Saudi Arabia pro league. It’s a reunion of old mates as Enrique was Barcelona coach when Neymar Jr played a crucial role in Barcelona’s 2015 Champions League triumph.
The Spaniard has overseen the arrival of a deluge of young talent, with Portugal striker Goncalo Ramos, who has joined on loan from Benfica the player expected to fill Mbappe’s extra large scoring boots. Upcoming Les Bleus striker Hugo Ekitike’s loan has also been turned into a permanent transfer as Enrique creates an attacking unit capable of converting the chances that are certain to be created by French winger Ousmane Dembele, a €45m recruit from Barcelona.
Slovak central defender Milan Skriniar has arrived from Inter Milan together with France World Cup winning defender Lucas Hernandez, who has joined from Bayern Munich as a replacement for departing veteran Sergio Ramos. The recruitment of Spain’s U-21 keeper Arnau Tenas from Barcelona, Manuel Ugarte from Sporting Lisbon and Marco Asencio from Real Madrid confirms Enrique’s Iberian peninsula roots.
New Olympique Marseille manager Marcelino will view the 2023/24 campaign as a window of opportunity given PSG’s troubles with their galacticos. France’s best supported club has turned to African talent to challenge the side from the capital. Senegalese pair Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr have arrived from Sheffield United and Watford for a combined €30m. They are joined by Central African Republic skipper Geoffrey Kondogbia who has been snapped up from Atletico Madrid along with Brazilian Renan Lodi. Gabon captain Pierre Emerick Aubameyang has meanwhile arrived on a free transfer from Chelsea.
SATURDAY
Olympique Marseille v Stade Reims
Paris Saint Germain v Lorient
SUNDAY
Stade Brest v Racing Lens,
Clermont Foot v Monaco,
Nantes v Toulouse,
Montpellier v Le Havre,
Rennes v Metz,
Strasbourg v Olympique Lyon
