Tension appears to be building within the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) dressing room following Ousmane Dembele’s critical remarks regarding the team’s mentality after their recent defeat. The reigning European champions are facing difficulties replicating last season’s remarkable sextuple success, currently sitting second in Ligue 1 behind Lens and having to navigate through the Champions League play-off qualifiers.
The challenges arise in the wake of a grueling previous season that culminated on July 13 during the Club World Cup final, resulting in a condensed off-season where players were granted only three weeks away before returning for pre-season training. Their schedule resumed with a matchup against Tottenham in the UEFA Super Cup final on August 13, contributing to a demanding calendar.
Compounding the issues, manager Luis Enrique has been beset by a high injury toll, with key players like Dembele, Desire Doue, Joao Neves, and Bradley Barcola all facing time away from the pitch. Recruitment efforts have also fallen short, which adds to the concerns regarding team cohesion.
After PSG’s 3-1 defeat to Rennes, Dembele voiced his frustrations, stating that players are not aligned in their efforts. “We need to put Paris Saint-Germain first because if everyone plays for themselves, it won’t work,” he indicated during an interview. His comments sparked speculation about tensions with specific teammates, notably suggesting they were indirectly aimed at Doue.
While Enrique has publicly minimized the implications of Dembele’s remarks, emphasizing the need for unity, internal reports suggest that his comments were not well received among the squad. The club has a system in place where bonuses are equally distributed, regardless of individual statistics like goals or assists, leaving some players perplexed by the notion of individualism.
PSG faces uncertainty moving forward, especially concerning Dembele’s status for the night’s crucial Champions League clash against Monaco. Historically, Enrique has shown willingness to discipline players when necessary, having previously benched Dembele after a confrontation earlier in the season.
Despite the current friction, this challenge may ultimately serve to strengthen team dynamics as they seek to reclaim their competitive edge. Reinstating a collective focus on the club’s priorities could foster resilience and unity within the squad, necessary attributes for any successful team.