Even though Paris Saint-Germain have won every domestic trophy this season and have reached the Champions League final, they still have glaring issues within their squad. The lack of midfield depth is an issue for Thomas Tuchel’s team, but the biggest problem is at right-back.
This season, they have played Thilo Kehrer and Ander Herrera there, none of which are natural right-backs. Kehrer is a talented defender, but it is painfully obvious he is not PSG’s long term solution there. The sale of Thomas Meunier, the only natural right-back they had, means they will reinforce this position in the summer.
The player they should buy is Youcef Atal; Nice’s flying fullback. The full-back was targeted last summer by Les Parisens, but opted to remain in the south of France instead.
At the time, he said: “I was absolutely sure that I would stay at OGC Nice this summer. I think that my agent was contacted by PSG, but I didn’t want to hear it.” So could a move to the Ligue 1 champions be on the cards this summer?
Youcef Atal Could Solve Right-Back Problems at PSG
Current PSG Right-Backs
Atal is of a completely different profile to any of the players they have played at right-back this season. Unlike Meunier, Kehrer and Herrera, all of whom are good on the ball but their lack of pace hinders them, Atal has a combination of technical proficiency and frightening pace. The Algerian is only 24-years-old, so he is fairly young. Ever since he arrived in Ligue 1, he has taken it by storm with his explosive dribbling, soaring pace and technical ability. It is only a matter of time before Nice will have to cash in on the talented Algerian.
Atal is very unique as he can play on the left-wing as well as right-back. This is due to his two footedness, his ability to run in behind and his dribbling ability. This versatility would be something that Thomas Tuchel, the PSG manager, would value highly. The enigmatic German is known for tinkering with formations and valuing versatile players highly. So, a player of Atal’s quality would be a prized commodity in the French capital. Even though he can play as a winger, Atal prefers to play as a right-back. In his own words, this position allows him to utilise his speed best, and at PSG, this speed would unlock a new dimension to their attack.
Atal at Nice
In 2018/2019, Atal had six goals and one assist in 30 appearances. His best game was when he scored a hat-trick against Guingamp, whilst playing on the left-wing – a perfect example of his versatility. His first goal was a Robin van Persie-esque volley on his left foot, which arrowed into the bottom corner. His second was a brilliant run from his own half, in which he dribbled through the heart of Guingamp’s defence and squeezed it past the keeper. The third came from his running off the ball. Ihsan Sacko found space in behind Guingamp’s defence and played the ball across to the free Atal, who tapped it in. All of these goals showed off his different attributes which makes him special. The first his technical ability, the second his dribbling, and the third his ability to run in behind.
In 2019/2020, he seemed to carry on the same form as he had a goal and two assists in 14 appearances until a devastating knee injury. This knee injury ended his season early, and it was feared it would impact the young Algerian a lot. Speed is an important factor in his game. For him to suffer such an injury usually means he would lose some of it. Nevertheless, these fears were curbed in his latest game – a 3-2 win against Rennes. In this game, Atal looked back to his very best, with his speed very much still there.
In the game, he looked a threat, with him constantly running in behind and combining with his winger. He almost played in one of his midfielders running in behind with a gorgeous pass, if not for a last-second clearance by the Rennes defender. He won a penalty with his dribbling ability as he got past the opposition fullback, Faitout Maouassa, with ease. Once he received the ball back and he seemed prepared to shoot, he was chopped down by Maouassa. The penalty was converted by Kasper Dolberg. He won a second penalty as another one of his runs in behind was spotted and played to him. Maouassa once again bundled him over, and the penalty was duly converted by Dolberg again.
Dolberg should have had a hat-trick as Atal, once again found space in behind the Guingamp defence, played the ball straight to the Danish striker. Dolberg then fluffed his lines trying to attempt to score with a flick, rather than slotting it past the goalkeeper. His technical ability was also on show, as any attempts to press him was futile. As he used his pace and dribbling ability to easily escape Rennes’ press. In today’s game, fullbacks are trusted more than ever before to be a vital clog of a teams attack. Against Rennes alone, Atal showed all of the skills needed of a modern fullback. At PSG, with these skills, he would fit like a glove in their side.
Youcef Atal at PSG
The variations that Atal would allow Tuchel to have, would a dream for German. If Angel Di Maria or Pablo Sarabia started on the right-wing, both of whom are left-footed players who like to cut in, there would be acres of space on the overlap for Atal to cause damage. When given space, Atal can use it effectively, by picking out his teammates or by driving at the defence and causing fouls. If Kylian Mbappe were to start there instead, Atal would be able to combine effectively with him.
Against low blocks, Mbappe’s dribbling and off the ball movement would cause havoc. Atal’s technical ability means that he will be able to play Mbappe through whenever he does run in behind. If Mbappe does get pressed by opposition defenders, he will be able to quickly play Atal through whenever he is on the overlap as well. Press them or give them space, either way, a combination of these two on the right-hand side would give any side in the world trouble. Also, Atal can play in attack as well, so if any of the PSG attackers are injured, he would be able to replace them.
Playing the ball out from the back would be easier for PSG as well if Atal was in the side. His ability to dribble out of the press is something which Kehrer does not have. The fact that he can not do so makes him an easy target for the opposition when pressed. This was shown in the 3-1 defeat to Manchester United back in March 2019. When Kehrer was pressed by Marcus Rashford, he gave the ball away to Romelu Lukaku who then slotted it past Gianluigi Buffon. If Atal was there, this mistake would not happen, and any attempts to press him would be futile.
His off the ball movement would be almost impossible to defend against. In this PSG team filled with technicians like Marco Verratti, Leandro Paredes and Neymar. His runs in behind would be spotted more than ever before. When he is in behind opposition defences, Atal’s decision making is of high quality. Even though his assist numbers are not that high at Nice, his numbers would skyrocket at PSG. As a player of his skillset, would complement PSG attackers perfectly, as the likes of Mbappe, Neymar and Mauro Icardi would feast on his cutbacks.
Defensively Solid
Defensively, Atal is better than what most people think he would be. Most people think of today’s fullbacks as only good offensively and poor defensively. Atal, however, is a combination of both. He is able to read the game quite well and is rarely ever caught out of position. Even when he is, he has enough recovery pace to make up for it. In the game against Rennes, there were two occasions in which the left-winger was almost played in behind. But, Atal used his pace and his positional sense to intercept the ball twice and to sniff out any danger.
He is also a pressing machine as any heavy touch from the opposition winger is immediately pounced on by Atal. This would be music to Tuchel’s ears, as the ability to press effectively is something which he loves. Against high-level opposition, however, he may have to curb this habit. Top-quality sides will be able to play around Atal’s pressing nature with ease.
Fast, an excellent dribbler and a good defender, buying Youcef Atal is a no brainer for Paris Saint Germain. The only issue would be his injury history. As he suffered a collarbone injury at Afcon last year, and the knee injury he suffered this season in December, kept him out for the rest of the season. Although, he seems to have recovered fully from this injury. He would available for around €20 million – a bargain for someone of his quality. If Paris Saint-Germain want to build on their domestic dominance and potential European glory, then Atal would be a big step in them doing so.
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