Edinson Cavani Has to Show That Actions Speak Louder Than Words

It's one thing to talk a good game, but it’s another to put those words into action. Edinson Cavani has faltered and stuttered around the Parc des Princes this season, failing to shake off criticism regarding his form.

Now it is time for the Uruguayan striker to prove that actions speak louder than words.

On Friday morning, French newspaper Le Parisien ran a lengthy interview with the PSG striker. Most of the questions were centred on his form, how he felt the start of the season had gone, how he explained his poor performances in certain games and his confidence on the pitch.

Cavani was very diplomatic, his responses what you would expect. He points towards the difficulty the team faced, that he has to work hard and that he knows he is expected to score goals.

However, there is a real sense of Cavani saying a lot without actually saying anything at all:

"

There was a difficult period, not only for me, but the team too. Results were not what was expected and we started to feel bitter.

It is not easy or nice to hear people criticise you. Whether it is justified or not, the only solution is through hard work.

My aim is to score goals because it is my job as a striker. On top of that, I have to work hard for the team in attack and defence.

"

Frederic Gouaillard of Le Parisien then asked specifically about the games against Evian, Toulouse and Monaco. PSG failed to win all three games and all three—without Zlatan Ibrahimovic—were chances for Cavani to show that he can lead the line for the Parisian club and become the leader of the attack.

Cavani’s performances were poor—there is no doubt about that—but in true diplomatic fashion, the question is cleverly avoided.

"These are games where I was not in the best of conditions. But again, we are talking of a group and not a player. I am ready for criticism, but we must be judged in general and not only certain footballers," he said.

In 10 games this season, Cavani has scored four times, with the penalty against Lens being the first goal he had scored in four matches. He opened the scoring after 20 minutes of the 1-1 draw with Lyon in September, and that was his last goal in the league from open play.

Even the goal against Apoel in the Champions League came with a huge slice of luck after what had been a poor performance.

Cavani needs to stop talking about his form, his work rate or the position that he has to play, with or without Ibrahimovic, and the 27-year-old striker needs to start doing his talking on the field.

Thibault Camus/Associated Press

The only reason he is facing these questions is because his performances have been short of what is expected from him.

At this stage last season, Cavani had seven goals in the league, finishing 2013 with 12 goals in Ligue 1. There were no long interviews, little criticism and no one questioning his ability. It wasn’t until he finished the season by only scoring another four goals—finishing on 16 in the league—that anyone questioned his form.

When Cavani is scoring regularly, he doesn’t need to explain anything. All his expressive work is done on the pitch, and that’s what he needs to get back to.

After the last international break and the one-game suspension for his sniper celebration, the forward is well-rested and should be raring to go for the game against Lorient in Brittany.

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Ibrahimovic will miss both the next league and Champions League games this week, giving Cavani another opportunity to prove his ability to lead this team and produce goals when they need them most.

There no point continuing to make excuses and trying to talk his way out of the criticism. The only place that Cavani can silence everyone is on the pitch. Score goals, and people will have nothing for praise for him. Continue to falter, and the critics will continue to point out his flaws.

November is a chance for the €64 million striker to wipe the slate clean. Manager Laurent Blanc needs fireworks from Cavani rather than looking like nothing more than a fading sparkler.