Paris Saint-Germain’s midfield picture has shifted during the international break, with João Neves losing ground for Portugal while injuries have hit Warren Zaïre-Emery and Senny Mayulu. Back in Paris, the consequences could be felt as PSG prepare to face Le Mans on Saturday night.
Quick facts
- Vitinha has been handed a more advanced role by Portugal coach Jorge Jesus.
- João Neves came on for 55 minutes in Portugal’s 4-2 win in Denmark.
- Vitinha scored his first senior Portugal goal in that match and helped create the move that beat Norway 2-1 on Sunday.
- Warren Zaïre-Emery withdrew from France duty with adductor discomfort and is doubtful for Le Mans.
- Senny Mayulu is expected to be out for around a month after sustaining a thigh injury with France Under-21s.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s dramatic departure from Copenhagen, on the eve of a Nations League fixture last week, dominated much of Portugal’s camp. Behind that noise, however, Jorge Jesus has begun reshaping the national side after taking over from Roberto Martínez.
Nuno Mendes remains firmly established at left-back, but the midfield hierarchy has been altered. Vitinha is still central to Portugal’s plans, although he is no longer being used in the same manner as he is at PSG.
Jesus wants a fixed holding midfielder in the centre, alongside a more forward-thinking No. 8 who can operate almost as a No. 10. Vitinha has been selected for that roaming role, with Neves replacing him after 55 minutes in Denmark.
The Portugal coach made clear that club status does not dictate his selection choices. “What happens at club level does not concern me,” Jesus said during the gathering. “When I call a player up, I judge him on the game idea I want to use.”
He added that Vitinha’s qualities fit the system, particularly with a defensive line pushed high up the pitch. Jesus believes the PSG midfielder cannot remain in a static defensive position under those conditions and has given him a different responsibility.
Vitinha has responded quickly. He opened his Portugal scoring account in the 4-2 victory in Denmark, then played a key part in the collective move that turned Sunday’s match against Norway into a 2-1 win.
Alongside João Félix and Gonçalo Ramos, Vitinha has emerged as one of the early beneficiaries of the Jesus era. For Neves, the outlook is less clear.
The Benfica academy product started at the last World Cup and has begun PSG’s last three Ligue 1 matches, yet he is currently less influential with Portugal than he is in Paris. During the week of his 22nd birthday, he watched several midfield rivals strengthen their cases for places.
There is no immediate alarm for PSG over Neves. His limited minutes over the break may even be welcome in a demanding part of the domestic season.
Fabián Ruiz has also returned to Paris earlier than planned following the birth of his son, Bertin. The Spain midfielder missed his country’s final two matches.
Zaïre-Emery, meanwhile, was forced to pull out of the first France squad under Zinédine Zidane because of adductor pain. PSG are not overly concerned about the 20-year-old’s condition, but he remains uncertain for Saturday’s 20:45 kick-off against Le Mans.
Mayulu’s situation is more serious. The midfielder picked up a thigh problem while away with the France Under-21 side and is set for an absence of about a month.
Mayulu is the only confirmed absentee for the Le Mans visit. Decisions on Zaïre-Emery, Ferran Torres and Achraf Hakimi, who was rested while on international duty, are expected in the coming hours.
