Will leave, will not leave?
The name of Leo Paredes has often been mentioned in the "transfers" section in recent weeks, especially in Italy.
And for good reason, PSG accuses colossal losses (more than € 200 million over the season?) And needs cash.
The person however cut short the rumors Thursday, at a press conference: "I know that we have spoken a lot (about me) but I will stay here.
I am very happy, very happy to be here.
I intend to stay in Paris for several more years. ”
Bad news for the accounting department, but good news for the technical staff.
Because Paredes stands out as a sure bet in the Parisian midfield, like his XXL performance against Montpellier (4-0), Friday, in Paris.
Pass quality and glance
Positioned to the right of Marco Verratti in the middle, in double pivot, the Argentinian international (26 caps, 3 goals) made his technique and his vista speak.
If he mostly traded with the “Little Owl” (115 balls in 76 minutes, 48 balls in the direction of Verratti, 31 from the Italian), he also drank Alessandro Florenzi (13 balls) and his compatriot Angel Di Maria (14).
It was he who launched Kylian Mbappé with a bright opening on the action that led to the expulsion of Jonas Omlin at the start of the meeting.
A candy, not the only one.
His passing quality is generally exceptional, and his look, bleeding.
With more than 95% of successful passes in the opposing camp, Paredes strove to find the opening and to orient the game, while curbing the few offensives Montpellier (2 interceptions, 5 recoveries).
Renowned for his aggressiveness, he was clean against Montpellier (1 tackle, 1 fault).
Almost too much in fact (less than 40% of duels won).
For the rest, all good.
"
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It was obviously not the first good match for Paredes in the Parisian tunic.
The former Boca Jrs, Chievo Verona, AS Roma and Empoli had also shown to his advantage in Angers last Saturday (1-0 victory).
But it is always so astonishing to see him so radiant when we remember his first months in the capital, he who was however awaited like the white wolf by Thomas Tuchel.
"After the first six months, I felt much better"
Leo paredes
Recruited at the very end of the transfer window in winter 2019, he landed without preparation and short of pace from Zenith Saint Petersburg, while it was the truce in Russia.
A transfer of more than 40 M € which quickly looked like a huge flop.
In addition to his own difficulties, the elimination against Manchester United in the Champions League, a few weeks after his arrival, has almost ended the season.
“At the start, it's always a bit difficult when you arrive at a club as important as PSG, underlines Paredes.
After the first six months, I felt much better.
Last season was good and the current year is going well too.
I always have the pleasure of growing, improving, and giving the best of myself for the team, the club and all the people I love, that's the most important for me. "
It shows.
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Note that Paredes is particularly well integrated into the Parisian locker room, always crammed with the South American leaders.
This is not trivial.
A little less than a year ago, Andy Delort also mentioned a Leo Paredes "bodyguard" of Neymar on the ground… In his mouth, it was not a compliment, but whatever.
He is indeed the kind of player that it is better to have in his team than against either, capable of nasty gestures sometimes, and of putting pressure both verbally and physically.
A strong character and a silky touch.
Gueye, Herrera, Danilo or Paredes with Verrati?
To see if Mauricio Pochettino intends to continue with a middle two and the “fantastic four” in front, as against the MHSC.
If so, Paredes would compete with Idrissa Gueye, Ander Herrera and Danilo Pereira - whose entry was hardly convincing - for the second position, along with Marco Verratti.
“We've been here for a short time, we haven't had a lot of time to try out different combinations.
With players of this quality, we can consider different options.
Today, we made that choice.
We will see in the future which will be the best associations on the ground to win matches and have the best performances, ”said the Argentine coach, without getting wet.
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In the meantime, Leo Paredes, 26, could be one of the big winners of the arrival of Mauricio Pochettino on the Parisian bench, with Layvin Kurzawa or Mauro Icardi.
Marquinhos too, he who is no longer obliged to help out in the midfield as was the case (too) often under the orders of Tuchel.
“It's different for an Argentinian to have a compatriot as a coach.
We have ideas in common, ”he agrees.
With performances like that of Friday, Paredes will undoubtedly be very present in the ideas of his trainer in the future.
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