Why Jean-Christophe Bahebeck Negates PSG's Need for Memphis Depay Transfer

Following their elimination by Barcelona from the Champions League on Tuesday night, Paris Saint-Germain will now be concentrating on trying to win their third consecutive title and the Coupe de France against Auxerre. However, it won’t stop them looking toward this summer and the pending transfer window.

Earlier in the week, via Ian Holyman of ESPN FC, PSV Eindhoven’s sporting director, Marcel Brands, told Dutch TV that Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur are all in the hunt for the talented forward Memphis Depay.

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Memphis Depay is wanted by Man United, City, PSG and Spurs, says PSV chief Marcel Brands: http://t.co/NgDf3pIPjk pic.twitter.com/IwjihBrYqG

— ESPN.co.uk (@ESPNUK) April 20, 2015"

However, rather than spend a huge chunk of their summer budget on the undoubtedly talented Dutch winger, PSG need to look closer to home and give Jean-Christophe Bahebeck a chance to grow and blossom, possibly becoming their own Depay in the process.

Bahebeck will turn 22 in May, just a year older than the PSV star, but that doesn’t mean he is a million miles away from providing the same level of quality. The problem that PSG have is they haven’t given the Parisian born forward the opportunities to star on the big stage.

Depay may have scored 20 goals as PSV lifted the Eredivisie title last weekend, but Bahebeck is highly regarded and has looked bright during the brief moments he has spent on the pitch for the Parisians.

It was felt that two failed loan spells may have shown that he didn’t have what it takes, but as he has grown up, you can see glimpses of what is a very promising player.

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83' BUUUUTTT DE JEAN CHRISTOPHE BAHEBECK !!! #ACAPSG pic.twitter.com/OdYr2gywVc

— PSG Officiel (@PSG_inside) December 17, 2014"

In his first spell away from Paris he played for newly promoted Troyes, and apart from a few fleeting moments, it was a difficult spell. Over 27 league games he only scored three times while setting up two.

A year later, more was expected of him at northern club Valenciennes, but he played less and after 19 games his numbers dropped to just two goals and one assist. His minutes per game average increased, but the level of performances didn’t.

In both seasons he had been part of a squad relegated down to Ligue 2—the future wasn’t looking very bright.

Then last summer, the 21-year-old finally showed more than just glimpses of class. Playing at the respected Toulon Youth Festival, Bahebeck was the key player for France as they reached the final of the tournament. Beaten 5-2 by Brazil, Bahebeck scored twice, making him the competition's top scorer with four.

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Three members of #Le50 on the field for PSG (Marquinhos, Digne, Rabiot) with another (Bahebeck) on the bench. http://t.co/bCV7wm1drm

— PhilippaB (@Philby1976) April 8, 2015"

That form carried on to PSG’s summer pre-season tour. Edinson Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi’s late return from the World Cup opened a door for Bahebeck, and he took full advantage.

He scored five goals in five games before the start of the season and it looked like he would finally be given his chance to impress for his boyhood club.

This season, out of Bahebeck’s 15 appearances, only three have been from the start. With two goals and three assists in the league, it is clear that he is good enough to make an impact, but Laurent Blanc prefers to persist with both Lavezzi and Cavani—regardless of their form.

Cavani’s goal for PSG against Nice on Saturday was his first in the league for 670 minutes. It took a penalty to break the drought. That means he has only scored one league goal from open play in 2015. In the same period of time, Bahebeck has only played 144 minutes.

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Bahebeck also warming up for PSG. Would be great to see him given 30 minutes or so.

— Jonathan Johnson (@Jon_LeGossip) April 15, 2015"

PSG may complain of having a small squad, but when you fail to utilise talented players that you do have, it invites questions around the people who are making the decisions.

If Blanc and PSG didn’t have any faith in the forward it would be more understandable, perhaps letting him play out his contract with the capital club. However, in September 2014 they handed him a new contract, extending his deal to 2019.

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Jean-Christophe Bahebeck extends contract until 2019: Paris Saint-Germain is delighted to have signed Jean-Chr... http://t.co/my9RcBh7A7

— PSG Officiel (@PSG_inside) September 9, 2014"

The club must have some belief in his ability, which baffles more when they don’t use him and are linked with bringing in players that would limit his minutes further.

PSG’s financial fair play restrictions mean they need to be much wiser with their money. Forgetting about Depay and giving Bahebeck more chances in the first team would be an excellent first step.