Paris Saint-Germain may have left many shocked during the summer transfer window when they failed to secure a like-for-like replacement for Kylian Mbappé (25) after he departed to join Real Madrid on a free transfer. However, following Bradley Barcola’s (22) start to the new season, Les Parisiens may have been proven right by not recruiting a left-winger.
The former Lyon winger left his boyhood club to join the Ligue 1 champions in the summer of 2023. Fans of Les Gones were bemused by the now-France international forward’s decision due to the intense competition for places in Luis Enrique’s front three at the time. Mbappé was considered almost undroppable in the French capital, and with Barcola’s preference for the left flank, minutes looked as though they would be limited.
Consequently, this was true during the Lyon academy graduate’s first few months at the club. Although with time, the 22-year-old was able to break his way into Luis Enrique’s starting eleven and became a dependable option alongside the Real Madrid forward before the end of last season.
Fast-forward to the start of this season, with the France captain now in the Spanish capital, Barcola has been the shining light for PSG so far this season. Is he Les Parisiens’ answer to replacing Mbappé?
Early signs of promise
PSG have not struggled so far without the attacking brilliance of the former Monaco attacker. The Ligue 1 champions sit atop the division unbeaten and were able to avoid any European upset with a comprehensive victory in their first match in the Champions League against Girona. Barcola has been pivotal to this start.
Les Parisiens have been praised for their freer attacking approach at the start of the season – allowing the Frenchman to thrive. A more synchronised front three has allowed the 21-year-old to develop an understanding with his forward counterparts, which has made the French capital club a joy to watch at times. Luis Enrique’s side has scored 20 goals in their opening 6 matches of the competition.
Leading the way
Trained as a striker in the OL youth ranks, goalscoring has always been a part of the attacker’s game, and a part he will have been hoping to increase. Barcola has no doubt been effective in forward areas both at PSG and Lyon but has more often than not been the player creating rather than putting the ball in the back of the net. In his first two seasons in Ligue 1, the forward scored 9 goals in 51 appearances.
This season, the PSG forward looks to have found a whole new level in front of goal. Barcola is the league’s top goalscorer (at the time of writing). The France international has scored 6 goals in his opening 6 matches in Ligue 1. Despite starting every game, the former Lyon forward has not been playing every minute of every match either – playing 374 minutes. His strike rate means he averages a goal every 62 minutes of domestic action – one of the best in Europe.
Increased defence effectivity
One thing that Mbappé was often criticised for was a lack of effort when it came to defensive duties. The same criticism cannot be levelled at Bradley Barcola.
Off the ball, the 21-year-old’s work rate is impressive. Involved in the press, Barcola looks to win the ball back in high areas to create dangerous opportunities. Pressing is an important part of Luis Enrique’s philosophy but means nothing if it is unfruitful. That is rarely often the case, with Barcola and his attacking counterparts regaining possession frequently in the opposition half. The Frenchman is the embodiment of this approach with 4.43 tackles, blocks and interceptions per 90.
A renewed confidence
The PSG forward has not lacked confidence since he broke onto the scene at Lyon. However, the added responsibility for the French forward seems to have seen him unlock a new level so far this season. In attack, he has adopted the role of being a leader. Leading by example is often a cliché term but with his performances thus far this term, Barcola is doing just that.
With the ball at his feet, the left winger can produce moments of magic with immense skill and awe-inspiring dribbling. In defensive terms, the forward is a manager’s dream with his work rate and effectiveness at regaining possession. Output-wise, the 21-year-old is among the best in Europe. All of this combined has made Barcola indispensable this season and the bitter loss of Mbappé much easier to take.
