Bradley Barcola, a 21-year-old winger for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), has been catching attention with his explosive playing style since his move from Lyon. His deliberate heavy touches to draw defenders in, followed by quick flicks and sprints down the field, have become a trademark at PSG. In a recent Champions League match against Real Sociedad, Barcola’s performance showcased his ability to create opportunities, contributing to PSG’s 2-0 victory with two goals and two assists in his last five games. Despite the spotlight usually being on Kylian Mbappé, Barcola and right winger Ousmane Dembélé have been instrumental in PSG’s attacking force, complementing Mbappé’s speed in a 4-3-3 formation under coach Luis Enrique.
This successful frontline trio has relegated seasoned players like Marco Asensio and Randal Kolo Muani to the bench. Asensio, a three-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid, and Kolo Muani, PSG’s third most expensive signing, have seen limited playing time due to the dynamic performances of Barcola and Dembélé. Their acquisitions were part of Enrique’s strategy to reinforce PSG’s attack after the departures of Neymar and Lionel Messi.
While Dembélé joined from Barcelona and Kolo Muani arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt, Barcola’s transfer from Lyon raised eyebrows. Despite his relatively modest stats at Lyon, Enrique recognized Barcola’s potential to disrupt opponents’ defense and exploit spaces with his speed on the wings. Barcola’s adaptability to Enrique’s tactical approach has been evident in his performances for PSG.
Looking ahead, Barcola’s form could earn him a call-up to the French national team under coach Didier Deschamps. With friendlies against Germany and Chile approaching, Barcola’s continued excellence on the field may pave the way for his debut with Les Bleus in the upcoming European Championship.
