Tensions rising in PSG dressing room with Pochettino struggling to handle egos of Messi, Neymar, Donnarumma and other stars: Reports
PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly finding it difficult to handle the likes of Lionel Messi and Neymar as tensions are reportedly rising in the French giants' dressing room.
L'Equipe have detailed the several issues coming out of the PSG dressing room, with multiple stars' egos reportedly causing problems for Pochettino.
According to the report, Pochettino has lost control of the dressing room and is unable to handle the plethora of stars at the club. The French outlet has claimed that the players do not understand Pochettino's decisions at the club.
The Argentine reportedly allowed Lionel Messi and Leandro Paredes to skip training the day after the Ballon d'Or ceremony, while also not sanctioning Neymar for showing up late to a meeting with a sponsor.
🚨⚽️ | NEW: The arrivals of Sergio Ramos, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Lionel Messi were not in the plans of Pochettino in the summer, and have also caused a split in the dressing room
Via @lequipe
Pochettino also gave Mauro Icardi three days off due to his personal problems with his wife. These decisions have reportedly left some of the players baffled as the Argentine coach is seemingly unable to handle the club's superstars.
Lionel Messi not the only player causing problems for Pochettino at PSG
Although Lionel Messi is undoubtedly the biggest star at PSG, the club is filled with other superstars as well. Gianluigi Donnarumma, PSG's new summer signing, is considered to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
However, the 22-year old Italian has only managed 11 games across all competitions this season as he battles it out for the number 1 spot with Keylor Navas. This is reportedly not sitting well with the Italian, as he expects to be a regular starter at the club.
The report states that Donnarumma's relationship with Navas is quickly deteriorating due to this and it is not expected to get better as the season progresses.
When Mauricio Pochettino was asked about the goalkeeping situation at the club, he explained:
“I think that after five months of work, there is a good understanding of the situation. I believe that competition can be healthy. It’s a real competition and there is a good atmosphere in training. Everyone is benefitting from it and we must praise our goalkeepers because they have understood the situation and their level can only grow now.”
Things are getting crazy in Paris! @lequipe have reported:
🧤 Navas furious at Donnarumma's arrival
😡 Icardi given time off to save his marriage
❓ Poch had no plans for Messi & Ramos
📝 Squad divide unsettling Mbappe
🍾 Players unfit from partying
#PSG #Paris #Ligue1 https://t.co/rexcw8E3Um
PSG have done little wrong in Ligue 1 this season as they comfortably sit at the top of the table with a 13-point lead over second-placed Nice.
However, the lethal trio of Neymar, Mbappe and Messi have not been entirely up to speed together so far.
While Mbappe has shone brightly, scoring 13 goals already, Messi's showings have left a lot to be desired. The Argentinean superstar has just one Ligue 1 goal so far. Although his Champions League stats make for much better reading (five goals in five games), he's still miles off his best.
Neymar, meanwhile, has been grappling with injuries yet again this season, with the latest being an ankle problem which has kept him out since November.
PSG have consolidated one of the most lethal squads in Europe this season. However, if they are to finally win that elusive Champions League title this season, Pochettino will know that his front three need to start firing on all cylinders.