Thomas Tuchel has tried almost everything.
Two, three or five, flat or stepped, diamond or square, M or W… The German technician has almost everything reviewed, tried all possible combinations to find the right balance.
Since the start of the season, Paris has played 19 official matches in all competitions.
At kick-off, he showed up with 17 different associations in the midfield.
Only two combinations were renewed.
With varying fortunes.
The Herrera-Gueye-Verratti trio thus cumulates two losses, in Lens (1-0) and in front of OM (0-1).
But associated with Rafinha, the first two won in Nantes (0-3) and Montpellier (1-3).
No coincidence that Ander Herrera (9 starts for 1,101 minutes played) and Idrissa Gueye (7 starts for 687 minutes played) were the most used players in the midfield.
However, it is difficult to ensure that Thomas Tuchel has made the Spanish and the Senegalese his middle men.
In a game sector upset by injuries, illness, suspensions, the repositioning of Marquinhos and the late arrivals of Danilo and Rafinha, the German technician has only very rarely had the embarrassment of choice when it comes to composing the heart of its system since the curtain rises.
What will be the day when he has all his living forces?
When Danilo, Gueye, Herrera, Verratti, Paredes, Rafinha and Draxler, perhaps Marquinhos again, even Ruiz or Fadiga will all be in a position to compete for the two or three positions in the middle?
"I'm not going to answer that question," Tuchel retorted one day with a smile.
I can understand that you tried, but if I say that I'm going to have a problem in the locker room with the players I won't name.
"
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Especially since in recent days, another unknown has been added to the equation.
Victim of competition in the offensive sector and relegated three times to the bench in the last four games, Angel Di Maria could be invited to go down a notch.
“Yes, he can also play in number 8, Tuchel also agreed, not long ago.
He did it with Real and I was a big fan of him in that role.
He hasn't done it for a long time, but it's a possibility we can try.
"
There was only a step from words to deeds, since it was in this costume that the German technician launched the Argentinian on Wednesday against Basaksehir.
Entered in Rafinha's place after the break, Di Maria delivered two assists to Neymar and Mbappé.
A bright idea, in short, for Paris.
One more puzzle, no doubt, for Tuchel.
Failing to be able to detect the preferences of the German coach, we asked four “specialists” in the middle and “ex” of PSG, to put themselves in his shoes.
Assuming that the entire Parisian workforce was in good shape.
Jérôme Rothen: "Di Maria must play again in the middle"
“In the middle, it doesn't bother me that we privilege the technicians over the tough guys.
In this register, Verratti is unwavering because he makes others the best.
Compared to Herrera, Gueye or Paredes, it is day and night.
But it needs a counterpart, technical and which goes forward, to the left.
For me, it can only be Di Maria.
He must replay in the middle.
He has the volume to make more efforts and above all, given his quality of foot, we can not do without him.
The sentry post would be for Danilo, although I'm not a huge fan, he can buffer when he needs to.
"
Luis Fernandez: "I love Rafinha"
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“I have always advocated the game with a sentry like Thiago Motta or Mikel Arteta.
This allows the ball to come out cleanly and to break the lines to go back to the front.
It is the discipline and the technique of a Motta that must be rediscovered.
Marco Verratti can take on this role with Paredes at his side.
The two can switch and ensure a good level of recovery and animation, as they demonstrated against Manchester where they had hunted a little higher
(Editor's note: both were torchbearers)
.
To complete the trio, I would line up Rafinha.
He is an intelligent, technical and aggressive player.
I love Rafinha.
"
Benoît Cauet: “Paredes is the most complete
“His playing intelligence, his physical impact, his availability and his way of making others play make Leandro Paredes the most complete medium.
I would place him on sentry, behind two players capable of projecting the game forward.
In this register, Herrera and Verratti would compose with him the best trident.
They are complementary and have the ability to interchange all three.
They are certainly not big templates, but their technique offers dynamism, speed and intelligence to project forward.
"
Mohamed Sissoko: "Verratti, the basic man"
“The first name I put on the sheet is Verratti's.
He is the basic man.
Its creativity and impact make it an essential element.
To accompany it, you need a barker as a sentinel.
Who other than Paredes to fill this role?
I complete this duet with Rafinha, who is growing in strength.
With all due respect to Danilo, having a big in this line isn't necessary.
This midfielder is playful and technical enough to ensure strong ball possession.
And if the match gets complicated, Paredes will be able to break the game. "
