Why Paris St Germain Will Regret Not Signing Angel Di Maria
Aug 10, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; Real Madrid defender Angel Di Maria (22) intercepts a pass by Inter Milan midfielder Alvaro Pereira (31). Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
By now most of the football world already knows about the colossal transfer deal between Real Madrid and Manchester United for winger Angel Di Maria. A British record price tag of £59.7 Million Pounds ($98 Million)–he is a player of incredible stature who I’m sure United will be pleased to see play for this season.
Those who will regret it though are Les Bleus, Paris St Germain.
During the summer transfer window one of the only rumors that stuck to the Capital club, before, during and after the World Cup was the likelihood of Di Maria moving to Paris this season. With the boatload of transfers made in Madrid this summer and contract agreements up in the air, all the signs pointed to Di Maria leaving Madrid. What better place to do that than Paris St Germain? Current French Champions, Champions League contenders and all around European powerhouse. Unfortunately for Les Bleus, due to being found guilty of breaching Financial Fair Play agreements under UEFA, the club suffered an extensive fine and have been closely monitored during their spending this year. Earlier in the year President Nassar Al-Khelaifi said the FFP sanctions wouldn’t effect him from buying the players he wanted, but now that Di Maria has moved onto a club with no European Championships on the schedule you have to wonder if the sanctions weren’t in place, where the Argentine would’ve ended up.
Judging by the beginning of Paris’ new Ligue 1 season its hard not to wonder how great of an asset Di Maria would’ve been to the team. “The Noodle” is one of the most versatile players alive today and is able to bring creativity to open spaces; dribble like an all star and dominate the wing to create chances and plow defensive lines with his attack. Doesn’t that just sound incredibly valuable player for any team?
In Paris’ case, the clubs starting XI and bench is stacked with talent. A reliable youth academy which has helps paved the way for some of Frances’ best young men and a variety of experienced international players from many different background and styles equal a world class club. And with the likes of Marco Verrati, Yohan Cabaye and Javier Pastore doesn’t PSG’s midfield seem solid enough? Absolutely. But neither of these players are consistent enough on a regular basis to provide the kind of flare that Di Maria did for Madrid.
According to The Guardian “Last season, no one in Spain provided more assists than he did, with 22 in all competitions.” According to Opta, over the last four years in La Liga only Lionel Messi has given more assists. The list reads: Messi 57, Di María 49, Mesut Özil 47.
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The is certainly not a number for the average footballer. In the case of Paris’ midfield, Cabaye normally doesn’t start for PSG and is arguably still fine tuning his style since coming back to France. Pastore has been also in the same boat, but with less chances than his French counter part. And Verrati is a brilliant young prospect, but he is a player that still needs time to bloom to his full potential.
As for Paris’ wing, the same dilemma exists for Ezequiel Lavazzi and Lucas Moura. Both players play with their hearts when they are graced with green of the pitch. Lucas Moura has been snubbed often by coach Laurent Blanc, but proven his worth times a plenty during Ligue 1 matches and El Pocho’s inconsistencies just won’t be able to keep up with the fast acceleration of the clubs succession in Europe. Di Maria would’ve been the player to allow possibility for an attacking midfield, or winger, but also a strengthened attack that is absolutely reliable. He has done it time and time again for Real Madrid and continued to do it perfectly for Argentina in the World Cup.
Unfortunately, as most football does, it all comes down to money. One player was bought for a large amount of money and no one was sold which gave PSG zero flexibility on the transfer market. The ideal situation would’ve been if Madrid and Paris could’ve agreed on a loan deal with an obligation to buy, but that also shortly felt through.
Who knows, they could prove fans wrong and make a last minute surprise move as there are still a few days left in the transfer window. But either way, this is the player Paris’ truly needed most.
Paris, I think you may regret letting this one slide.