While Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe have dominated the headlines for Paris Saint-Germain this season, Neymar’s recent form has become a source of concern in the French capital.The Brazilian has scored just one goal in eight games since the campaign began, and that was a penalty in a 2-1 league win over Lyon.Troubled by niggling injuries – as he has been ever since signing from Barcelona for a world record transfer fee in 2017 – Neymar has completed 90 minutes in just five of his club’s 15 outings in all competitions.In last weekend’s 0-0 draw in Marseille, in French football’s biggest rivalry, he struggled to influence proceedings and was replaced by Georginio Wijnaldum late on.Fri, 29/10, 22.00: (1.38) PSG (5.20) LILLE (9.00)Neymar – who in May extended his contract to 2025 – has scored just three goals from open play in 2021 and has not netted in the Champions League since last December.In other words, the apparent decline in his performances has come since Mauricio Pochettino was appointed as coach in January.”He is a creative player with wonderful talent. I am happy with him,” insisted Pochettino ahead of Friday’s home meeting with Lille.”We know we can do much better collectively, even though we are top of the league and in our Champions League group.”Asked if he might consider leaving the 29-year-old on the bench, Pochettino would only say: “He could start or be on the bench, just like everyone else.”Anyone who doesn’t start or who is taken off can be unhappy, that is the reality, not just at PSG.”PSG midfielder Verratti to miss four weeks with hip injuryIt seems improbable that the 264 million USD forward will not start against Lille at the Parc des Princes, especially as Mbappe is out and Messi has been struggling with an injury this week.Mbappe is ill, while Messi has been trying to shake off a minor muscle problem.Despite playing far from their obvious potential PSG are seven points clear at the top of Ligue 1 after only 11 games, while Lille are 10th after a poor start to their title defence.The most famous football trio of today (Messi, Neymar, Mbappe) has rarely performed together this season. And whenever they did – they were not evaluated with a high grade. In last week’s derby with Marseille (0-0), all three found themselves on the pitch from the start and to put it mildly – they underperformed.His old teammate Henry with no-nonsense approach: “Messi is isolated”In the upcoming derby against the champion Lille (Friday, 22.00), it could happen that only one of the three biggest stars of Paris Saint-Germain will play…This was announced by Pochettino during his last press conference before the match. It is already known that Mbappe will not be in the team for the derby due to respiratory problems, and since Lionel Messi did not train with the team today, it is clear that he will be in question until the last moment.”After the game in Marseille, Leo trained normally. Today he reported muscle pain, so he worked individually. We will see tomorrow how everything will look like and whether he will be ready for the match against Lille,” said Pochettino.’Le Classique’: Supporter chasing Messi, nine police officers injured, 21 arrestsThe coach of the Parisians was asked by reporters whether Messi, if he is ready, will get the chance to play as a ‘striker’ for the first time, considering that Mbappe is out. He said that the Argentine is the best player in the world and that he can play in any position in the team.Pochettino’s side go to RB Leipzig in the Champions League next midweek, with Lille also on the road against Sevilla.Lens are away at Lyon on Saturday. Third-placed Nice and Marseille in fourth both play on Sunday.© Agence France-Presse
