PSG boss Thomas Tuchel wants swift resolution to 'unclear' Neymar situation

Sport360 staff 07:48 26/08/2019
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  • Paris St Germain coach Thomas Tuchel reiterated his desire to keep Neymar at the club after seeing both Edinson Cavani and Kylian Mbappe hobble out of Sunday night’s 4-0 win over Toulouse.

    Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who replaced Cavani barely 10 minutes into the match, chose a good time for his best display in a PSG shirt as he scored two and played a key role in Mathieu Goncalves’ unfortunate own goal, but it could still prove a costly night for the champions.

    Cavani left the pitch clutching his thigh while Mbappe pulled up while running down the channel and reached for his hamstring.

    “I cannot give details yet about the injuries of Cavani and Mbappe,” Tuchel said on Canal+. “We do not yet know if it’s serious and if they will miss the Champions League.”

    Asked if the situation increased the need for clarity over the future of Neymar, currently sidelined but repeatedly linked with a return to Barcelona or a move to Real Madrid, Tuchel said: “Leonardo (sporting director) knows very well that I want to keep Neymar.

    “The situation is not clear and must be closed as soon as possible. He is a great player and he is very important to us.”

    PSG, who suffered a shock loss to Rennes last week, still looked off their game for much of the first half but – after an incredible solo effort from Choupo-Moting early in the second half – they found some rhythm and soon put the result beyond doubt.

    “We played a lot of balls in the opposing area, we played well with a lot of seriousness and intensity,” Tuchel said. “The result is deserved.

    “Choupo-Moting was incredible. He is a player who can help us. He does not play his favourite position but he has quality and I hope now he has a lot of confidence.”

    Marquinhos headed in PSG’s fourth seven minutes from time, but Tuchel had hoped to keep the 34-year-old Brazil international on the bench, only for Abdou Diallo to limp off five minutes before the break.

    “He was used too much in the early matches,” Tuchel said. “Without (Thilo) Kehrer’s injury he should have been on the bench in Rennes. He is playing like a 25-year-old even if he is not 25.

    “We must respect recovery periods. He is amazing and gives everything during training, but this is not the time for me to take risks.”

    Provided by Press Association Sport

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