Why Real Madrid fans should be afraid of PSG new superstar

PSG lost a staggering number of goals this summer when Kylian Mbappe's contract expired, and he chose to sign with Real Madrid on a free transfer. What seemed like an endless saga finally came to a close with the Bondy native fulfilling his dream of wearing the white shirt, while Florentino Perez finally secured the player he had been longing for over the past seven years.

In the aftermath, the Paris Saint-Germain board got to work, though surprisingly, the perfect replacement for Mbappe was already in their ranks. We're talking about Bradley Barcola. In this article, I'll explain why Real Madrid fans should keep a close eye on his development. Let’s dive in.

Why Real Madrid fans should be afraid of PSG new superstar

One of the main concerns among PSG supporters and observers was the sheer number of goals that left with Kylian Mbappe. The Frenchman registered a staggering 42 goal contributions during the 2023/2024 season across Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League, with 35 goals and 7 assists.

Meanwhile, the other players who contributed to goals didn’t come anywhere near Mbappe's figures. For instance, Bradley Barcola scored 4 goals in 28 matches in the French league, while Randal Kolo Muani recorded 6 goals in 26 Ligue 1 games. In the same competition, Goncalo Ramos scored 11 times in 29 matches, making him the closest to Kylian in terms of goal tally.

It's understandable why there was concern and an obsessive need among PSG fans to sign an offensive superstar. However, that wasn’t the perspective of Luis Enrique and Luis Campos, the club's coach and sporting director. And it appears they read the situation quite well.

In just three matches, Bradley Barcola has netted four goals in the French league. During the recent match between France and Italy, he started and scored within the first 13 seconds of the game. In contrast, Kylian Mbappe has managed only two goals in four La Liga matches. With one more game played than Barcola, Mbappe has scored fewer goals than the 22-year-old Paris Saint-Germain talent.

But it's not just Barcola’s goal tally that has impressed fans and analysts alike, it's also the manner in which he plays. The young Frenchman frequently stands out for his dribbling skills and speed. Bradley isn’t just about power and pace; he also brings a touch of magic and consistent flashes of brilliance, reminding us, in some ways, of players like Neymar Jr.

Meanwhile, Mbappe has struggled to regain his best form, both at Real Madrid and with the French national team (he scored no goals during the recent international break). Barcola, on the other hand, is shining at both club and international levels. PSG are enjoying, while Real Madrid, for the moment, not so much.

That said, it's impossible to doubt the abilities of a player of Kylian Mbappe's calibre. Personally, I believe he will eventually adapt, and more importantly, regain his confidence and return to his best. However, it's also hard to ignore the incredible form that Bradley Barcola is currently displaying.

Hopefully, PSG and Real Madrid will cross paths later in this season's UEFA Champions League.