Ibrahim Mbaye could use Metz visit to relaunch with PSG | OneFootball

AFCON-winning forward Ibrahim Mbaye has slipped out of PSG’s plans in recent weeks, but the visit of Metz on Saturday could offer a route back between Champions League play-off meetings with AS Monaco. According to L'Équipe, the fixture presents a chance to rotate.

Since the end of the tournament he has featured three times, yet he has not played a minute in PSG’s last three matches. Over the past four weeks, he has gone from a player tipped to gain responsibility to an unused substitute.

In December he opened his PSG account against Rennes, a 5-0 on six December, then delivered two assists against Metz in a 3-2 on 13 December. On his return, Luis Enrique handed him starts against AJ Auxerre, a 1-0 on 23 January, and Strasbourg, a 2-1 on one February. Staff felt his response fell short of expectations, and his display in Alsace ended at half-time.

Inside the club, the drop is linked to the difficulty of switching back to the daily PSG routine after a month with the national team, rather than any physical after-effect from Morocco.

At AFCON he made six substitute appearances, scored once and provided two assists, strengthening the sense he had taken a step forward after December. Earlier in the season his potential lacked end product, an area the staff have targeted with extra, specific drills in training.

Source: L'Équipe