Heading into the 2021-22 season, short of Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 making a departure for the Spanish capital, Mauricio Pochettino already knew he would have Neymar Jr. and the French World Cup winner in his starting eleven. Then, unexpectedly in August, a fascinating curveball came hurtling towards Paris Saint-Germain but not one that would see the Parisian giants strike out.<\/p>\n
Lionel Messi \u2013 the legend, the name, the player \u2013 was unable to remain with the Camp Nou supremos due to the Spanish club running foul of La Liga\u2019s salary cap compliance in accordance with FFP. Suddenly, the 34-year-old had to leave the club he had called home for his entire playing career since joining La Masia, the youth academy. A tearful press conference and not too many days later, the Argentine forward landed with much ado and most pleasantly gift-wrapped, at the Parc des Princes, stunning the entire football world.<\/p>\n
Now none other than the other Argentine saddled with the primary responsibility of whipping the club\u2019s star-spangled team of players into shape is now facing the extra pressure of winning the elusive UEFA Champions League with the glittering new frontline of galacticos comprising Messi, Neymar, and Mbapp\u00e9. It would certainly be no mean feat to be able to galvanize these three top global talents and have them gel as rapidly as possible to justify the reputation they\u2019ve been tagged with as the most fearsome frontline in the history of football.<\/p>\n
Pochettino spoke to Universo Valdano<\/em> (via Paris Fans<\/em>), where he discussed having this attack as the three players look forward eagerly to blending well as the hottest dynamic trinity.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat they appreciate the most is spontaneity. They are not looking for a referent; they are looking for the natural. That you can establish a relationship of trust in which you feel free to tell him what you think about it and vice versa,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe coach must seek this complicity with the player and not deceive him. Then, in the locker room, privileges are granted by the nature of the other. They are big names, but the collective performance is the one that will give you the opportunity to win.\u201d<\/p>\n Finally, the respected Argentine tactician then touched on having the former Barcelona talisman and arguably the best player in the world on his squad, admitting that it\u2019s a gift to coach the former Barcelona star. For as long as he could remember, the PSG manager had been on the other side of the pitch having Messi rain continually on his parades; now, finally and with great relief and relishing his reversal of fortune, he can plan his ultimate game-plan with his new compatriot.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a global figure.\u00a0Probably the best ever.\u00a0Having Leo is a gift of life. Nobody expected his end in Barcelona, not even him,\u201d Pochettino said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe president, Leonardo, and the club, in general, have done a great job signing Messi. A huge expectation has been created in Paris, and around the world.\u00a0I love his naturalness and his feeling that he has to return the love he has received.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"