Bradley Barcola’s spring stalls after ankle injury as doubts grow for PSG and France | OneFootball

Bradley Barcola’s spring has stalled since an ankle injury at Chelsea on 17 March, clouding PSG’s run to the Champions League final. L'Équipe notes the 23-year-old’s form has dipped.

At Lens, a 2-0 win, Luis Enrique withdrew him at half-time, a rare reprimand. He has managed no goals and one assist in nine games.

He was limited to late cameos in the quarter-final second leg and both semi-finals. Between February and mid-March he produced five goals and two assists in 10, including a superb half-volley at Chelsea in London.

Within the attacking quartet he has logged the most minutes, 2876 this season, yet only 12 goals. Those around him accept he is not at 100 percent, and he looked spent after 20-minute cameos in the Bayern semi-finals, 5-4 then 1-1. Some close to him do not rule out apprehension before the World Cup in the USA.

A start in Budapest on 30 June against Arsenal now seems unlikely, even if he hopes to change minds. Doué is expected to join Dembélé and Kvaratskhelia, and Enrique has kept the door open to training performances.

For France he could still emerge on the left, particularly with Hugo Ekitike absent. PSG have paused renewal talks until after the final. He is contracted to 2028, and Paris plan to add another attacker. Liverpool’s interest is real, though they prefer a right-sider while making room for 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha. If his market opens it would likely be in England, with Arsenal also keen.

Source: L'Équipe