Why Randal Kolo Muani is not the same at PSG

And two makes six! During his last 8 starts with the France team, Randal Kolo Muani scored 6 goals, to which we can add 2 assists. In 2024, the Paris Saint-Germain striker is undoubtedly the most effective scorer for the Blues, far ahead of the others (2 goals for Mbappé for example). Statistics worthy of a player with full confidence, even though he is far from being full of them at PSG.

But then, how can we explain the gap between what we see in Blue and at Paris Saint-Germain? If Didier Deschamps loves Kolo Muani, it is for his ability to not give up on the pitch, first defensively and in impact. This was notable during his entry into the 2022 World Cup final where he was the first to really enter the Argentines. But it is also because the play of the French team, more direct, better suits its qualities as a counter-attacker, quite instinctive. Not sure that in the same situation, Nuno Mendes crosses like Lucas Digne did against Belgium on Monday evening, during Kolo Muani’s second goal.

A real 9, not a false 9

After the meeting, the 25-year-old himself reaffirmed the difference between club and selection, without trying to make waves. “I think the coach trusts me here (in selection). I hope he will also trust me at the club so I always keep my head straight, I continue to work and I want to stay comfortable in my sneakers. » At PSG, despite his meager use, he has no relationship problems with Luis Enrique. The two men manage to communicate. But he understood that the Spanish coach decided to favor a system with a false number 9, which Asensio and Lee can embody.

Gonçalo Ramos’ injury at the start of the season ultimately did not work in his favor. Because if Luis Enrique clearly opposed the arrival of Victor Osimhen, whom Luis Campos and Nasser Al-Khelaïfi were ready to recruit, arguing that he already had two attackers with more interesting characteristics, he quickly switched to his idea of ​​depriving yourself of a real 9. Kolo Muani must therefore be content with crumbs, with turnover, and sometimes positioning on the right side. Difficult to find continuity in such a context.

The moral aspect is also a reason for this performance gap. In the French team, he found a Didier Deschamps who was aware of his qualities and ready to exploit them. At PSG, he was forced to note that despite the official speech of his management, who never affirmed a desire to sell him, he was sometimes included in certain negotiations carried out. Not likely to give confidence to the player, who is now only running after similar development, both in club and national team.