Randal Kolo Muani, a test with France useful for PSG and Luis Enrique?
By Manuel Meza
Currently called up for the French National Team, Randal Kolo Muani is gradually adjusting to life at PSG. Didier Deschamps might start him on one flank this Tuesday against Greece, confirming an idea from Luis Enrique for the upcoming weeks.
Following a remarkable season in Germany with Eintracht Frankfurt, where he scored 24 goals and provided 15 assists, along with a decisive impact in the World Cup final for the French national team last December, Randal Kolo Muani convinced PSG to sign him this summer. He arrived for 80 million euros, not 90 as leaked in the press, and the 24-year-old forward has struggled to showcase his full talent since the start of the season.
"Randal has been doing better lately"
Embracing Luis Enrique's style of play, an approach he hadn't experienced at Nantes or Frankfurt, Randal Kolo Muani hasn't fully integrated into the Parisian team to score many goals (3 in 11 matches). According to L’Equipe, the Bondy native is aware of this but highlights that he had to adapt off the field due to the pressure from his transfer fee, sudden fame in France, and settling into the capital city.
While not excusing him, these are significant adaptation factors not to be trivialized for a 24-year-old player. "Randal has been doing better lately, he's enjoying it. It may seem trivial, but enjoyment is very important for him on the field. He's also understanding better what Luis Enrique demands from him. Didier Deschamps' confidence and words have also added serenity to all this," said a member of Kolo Muani's circle to L'Equipe.
Kolo Muani repositioned on the wing?
Despite this challenging start to the season with PSG, Randal Kolo Muani retains the trust of Didier Deschamps, who is weighing between the Parisian, Olivier Giroud, and Marcus Thuram for Les Bleus' forward line.
According to L’Equipe, the FC Nantes academy product's value hasn't decreased for the French coach, who seems inclined to possibly start him against Greece this Tuesday after discussions with Kylian Mbappe. It's a starting role that the 1998 World Cup champion hadn't initially planned.
However, if he starts this Tuesday with Les Bleus, Randal Kolo Muani is likely to play on the wing, as Olivier Giroud, suspended for Milan's upcoming match, will begin as the striker. This position could provide ideas for Luis Enrique in the coming weeks, especially with Marco Asensio's return from injury, effective in a false nine role earlier in the season, and Kang-In Lee's satisfactory second-half performance as a false nine against Stade de Reims a few days ago.