SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 2018 19 PSG set for title defence Neymar-Mbappe partnership to be in focus as the French champions start the defence of their Ligue 1 title AFP | Paris for Mbappe, who was named on the 10-man shortlist for FI- eymar left Barcelona for FA’s ‘Best Player’ award for 2018, NParis Saint-Germain 12 with Neymar conspicuous in his months ago in a bid to move absence. out of Lionel Messi’s shadow KNOW WHAT But the 25-year-old Neymar, and confirm his status as one of despite criticisms over his play- the world’s best players, but the acting at the World Cup, did per- Brazilian may have to share the In 2010, Premier form on the pitch last season, mantle of talisman with teen- League club West scoring 28 goals in 31 appear- age prodigy Kylian Mbappe this ances for PSG before breaking a season. Ham United noticed bone in his foot against Marseille The French champions start Neymar’s exploits in February. the defence of their Ligue 1 and approached Neymar will likely want the title against Caen at the Parc him with a £12 mil- spotlight, but his best chance of des Princes on Sunday, and all lion offer. The bid, leading PSG to their stated goal eyes will be on Neymar after he although unsuc- of a first Champions League title missed the final three months of cessful, drew global will be to replicate his famous last term with a foot injury. combination with Messi and The world’s most expensive attention and soon Luis Suarez at Barcelona with player has been the subject of Chelsea showed Mbappe and Edinson Cavani. consistent speculation linking interest in him Despite a domestic treble last him with a move away from Neymar and Kylian Mbappe season, that never really came to France, with reports usually fruition, as Mbappe took time to suggesting he will sign for Real the World Cup, but failed to in- to score in a World Cup final, an all-time great, having played “These words are not insignif- settle in and Cavani and Neymar Madrid, but he insists that he’s spire Brazil to a record-extend- netting in the 4-2 victory over against his then-Monaco team icant because Barzagli, when he rowed over penalties. not done with PSG yet. ing sixth title as they suffered a Croatia in Moscow. in the 2017 Champions League is focused and fit, is really a top But new coach Thomas “Yes, I will stay in Paris. I have 2-1 quarter-final loss to Belgium. The transfer fee of 180 million semi-finals for Juventus. defender. Tuchel said when he took over a contract with PSG. The spec- Mbappe, on the other hand, euros which PSG paid Monaco “When I spoke (after the “It’s obvious (Mbappe) has from Unai Emery in May that ulation? The majority of it is was named as the tournament’s for Mbappe is not far behind the match) with (Juve centre-back) something more than others. I he was “not afraid at all of stars”, invented by the press,” Neymar best young player after scoring world-record 222 million euros Andrea Barzagli, who is one of hope he will remain humble and adding that “in his experience told ESPN Brasil last month. four goals -- including two in a they parted with for Neymar. my great friends, he told me keep this desire to progress and they are the hardest workers”. “I have a contract and people scintillating individual perfor- ‘Gigi, in 20 years of my career make sacrifices. A second straight league title know the objective, the reason mance against Argentina -- to Mbappe can ‘mark history of I have rarely seen a player run “If so, he will make a mark in should be little more than a for- why I went to PSG. I want to win help France lift the trophy. football’ so fast with the ball, I had a the history of football and write mality, but PSG will need their with this club and I hope this The 19-year-old capped it off New arrival Gianluigi Buffon hard time stopping him’,” the incredible pages of the sport.” big guns on the same page and season will be wonderful.” by becoming only the second believes that Mbappe can follow 40-year-old Buffon told PSG’s Further accolades seem sure firing if they’re to finally lift the Neymar returned in time for teenager in history after Pele in Pele’s footsteps by becoming club magazine. to follow in the coming years European crown. Pogba still happy, insists Mourinho Liverpool need to be AFP | Manchester more clinical: Klopp ose Mourinho insists Paul JPogba remains happy and motivated at Manchester Unit- My perception ed despite reports claiming the is that Pogba France star is unsettled and arrived Monday, wants to join Barcelona. happy, proud, Following a successful sum- with a desire to mer in which he helped France work. He worked to win the World Cup, Pogba’s future at United has been the amazingly well subject of speculation over the Monday, Tuesday, last week of the Premier League Wednesday. He’s transfer window. one of the players It is understood United offi- that I have to cials have grown increasingly speak to see how weary and suspicious of Pogba’s physically and Jurgen Klopp looks on during a training session high-profile agent Mino Raiola, whom they blame for stories mentally he feels that his client would prefer to JOSE MOURINHO Reuters | London think because of the transfer play for Barcelona. window we will (challenge The former Juventus mid- iverpool’s reinforced squad more) - but that’s not how it fielder was among a handful Jose Mourinho and Paul Pogba Lmust build on their ruth- is.” of United players who only re- less form from last season if Klopp accepts the pressure turned to pre-season training “I see him very well but we although the manager insisted they are to challenge defend- ahead of Sunday’s opening on Monday, after their coun- need words with that small that omission was not a pun- ing Premier League champi- match against a much-changed tries advanced to the World Cup group to see if they can give us ishment. ons Manchester City for the West Ham United but said his semi-finals. a hand.” “He didn’t have a pre-sea - title, manager Juergen Klopp team will also need a change But Mourinho insists that Another player who has come son, three days of pre-season,” said on Friday. in luck if they are to catch last while he will talk to Pogba be- KNOW WHAT through an uncertain summer Mourinho said. Klopp has made four big year’s runaway champions fore deciding when exactly to with United is Anthony Martial, “He had nine days of pre-sea- money signings, adding goal- City. re-introduce him to competitive who was left out of his France’s son where no training, no foot- keeper Alisson, midfielders “Someone gave me the un- first team action, he has been World Cup squad, prompting ball, absolutely nothing. He’s in Naby Keita and Fabinho and luckiest team article,” Klopp happy with his attitude and As the captain of comments from his agent that the group of players who didn’t winger Xherdan Shaqiri, giv- added, referring to a study first few days back in training national under-20 he wished to leave Old Trafford have a pre season, it’s as simple ing supporters genuine opti- released this week that said in Manchester. team, he led them to safeguard his international as that. mism ahead of the new cam- Liverpool dropped the most “My perception is he arrived to France’s first future. “You try to make a case and paign. points last season, 12, in Monday, happy, proud, with FIFA U-20 World While the United hierarchy there is no case in it. For nine But the German insists they matches affected by wrongly a desire to work,” Mourinho Cup title. He was is known to be reluctant to sell days he didn’t train. so he’s to are still underdogs in the battle disallowed goals or incorrect said ahead of Friday’s opening the young striker, Mourinho has start again. for the league crown, saying: decisions. Premier League fixture against named best player endured a trying time in his re- “When you are nine days “We are still Rocky Balboa and “You ask me about the Leicester. of the tournament lationship with Martial after he without one minute of training not Ivan Drago. gap with City. We had three “He worked amazingly well and was awarded left United’s American pre-sea- or football, you go back and start “We have to be more con- points from City and they Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. the Golden Ball son tour to attend the birth of with the other people. There is sistent. More clinical. More had three points from us. It’s He’s one of the players that I his child and did not return - not a story.” aggressive in the right mo - about losing them in other have to speak to see how physi- missing nine days of training. Mourinho’s relationship with ments. We need to improve games.” cally and mentally he feels. ly to try to give us a help. players like Pogba and Martial everything. Klopp said there could be “But it’s the same conversa- “If they feel they can help Close scrutiny has come under close scruti- “We have to be in a cham- further departures from An- tion as with (Ashley) Young, us, 20 minutes, 10 minutes half That will hardly have endeared ny, as have the manager’s mood pionship mode.