Neves sparks PSG’s midfield magic

Since joining PSG, Joao Neves has made an immediate impact. In just two matches, the Portuguese midfielder has already provided four assists, establishing himself as a standout signing in Paris' transfer window.

For weeks, Joao Neves' transfer saga kept PSG fans on edge. At the end of July, the Portuguese international was officially announced as a PSG player. The 19-year-old midfielder signed a five-year contract, keeping him at the club until June 2029, for a fee of €70 million.

Neves sparks PSG’s midfield magic

In his first two official matches with the capital club, he showed exactly why PSG was so determined to sign him, delivering four assists in two Ligue 1 games. He has already outperformed his assist tally from last season in the Portuguese league. According to Le Parisien, Joao Neves adds depth to PSG’s control of the game, always focused on building play and moving forward.

Internally, neither Luis Enrique nor Luis Campos ever doubted his potential, deciding as early as the spring to go all-in on this young talent, reports the Parisian daily. The PSG coaching staff has praised his "positive energy" since his first two appearances, noting how quickly he has grasped the expectations of the former Spain coach.

His rapid adaptation was evident to all who watched him on Friday night at the Parc des Princes. Le Parisien also notes that "often compared to Marco Verratti, he shares the (relative) flaw of the little owl, with only three goals in the league last season."

However, Neves shouldn’t struggle to find inspiration, playing alongside Vitinha, who went from scoring two goals in his first season to nine in his second with Paris, also making strides with the Portuguese national team.

Neves will need to thrive in a competitive environment alongside his compatriot, Warren Zaire-Emery, Fabian Ruiz, and possibly even Marco Asensio or Désiré Doué, all competing for three midfield spots, concludes Le Parisien.