Why Lucas Moura Has to Find His Best Form or Face Paris Saint-Germain Exit

Once a player reaches the age of 23, they should have the footballing world at their feet. For Paris Saint-Germain’s Lucas Moura, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

In the two full seasons he’s played for the club, his minutes have actually reduced—although injury hampered him last season—and now there is even more threat to the Brazilian’s first-team opportunities.

The signing of Angel Di Maria from Manchester United this summer pushed Lucas down the pecking order, also factor in the excellent performances from Javier Pastore last campaign and realistically, the former Sao Paulo forward is now fifth choice at PSG.

Before the international break, Lucas opened up to French magazine France Football, and although most of the interview showed a settled and motivated player, there was one interesting comment which could give Parisian fans a little cause for concern.

When asked about his performances since arriving in Ligue 1, the winger gave himself seven out of 10. Ratings are all relative, but in France, newspaper L’Equipe rate players after every game and are known to be harsh. A score of seven would often get you into the team of the week.

You start at a five and you make your way up to a seven. Rating on this scale, it’s hard to agree with Lucas’ self-critique.

David Vincent/Associated Press

Just two seasons ago, officially the forward finished with five goals and 10 assists, with the youngster expected to kick on. That hasn’t happened. Zlatan Ibrahimovic missed a number of games through injury and suspension last season, and Lucas was given ample opportunities.

Over the course of 29 games, he scored seven and set up another five. There were some great moments: the solo run against Caen, the double against Bordeaux—you just wanted him to build on those moments, rather than be isolated incidents.

When he arrived in January of 2013, it was always going to take time for the Brazilian to settle, something he readily admitted to France Football (h/t talkSPORT).

"

At first, my family and I missed our friends. The Brazilians are very close to their families, even in difficult times. We are always happy to be together.

Now everything is better because I live with my mother, my stepfather, my girlfriend. I can not complain about anything. I live in the most beautiful city in the world.

"

If the player believes he is settled, the performances have to improve. This has to be his season, and it is not going to be easy.

There will be opportunities. As PSG try to compete in four competitions, the first-choice front line won’t always play in Ligue 1. If and when Lucas gets his chance, he needs to take it.

The 23-year-old scored the winner in the opening-day away win at Lille. That should have been a spark, but again it was a peak rather than the start of a run.

Di Maria didn’t start until Week 5, Ibrahimovic missed the first few games and Blanc has also tried to rest Cavani when he can. Lucas has been able to start eight of the nine league games so far, but his impact has been minimal.

Against Lille he was brought off after his excellent shift, he then played 90 minutes against Gazelec Ajaccio—since then, Lucas has been brought off in the other six games due to his uncanny impression of the invisible man.

Boris Streubel/Getty Images

Kingsley Coman left PSG in 2014 after playing just 41 minutes in the league. After a spell at Juventus he is now thriving at Bayern Munich. In the squad pecking order, he is behind Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery and Douglas Costa—but with the first two out injured, he has pounced on the opportunity.

In four league games the 19-year-old has two goals and an assist, setting up another two in the Champions League. Coman will know his starts could be limited, but he has grabbed the minutes he has been given and is making it very difficult for Pep Guardiola to not at least bring him on.

That could not be further from the truth for Lucas Moura. Ineffective, disappointing performances will convince Blanc to look elsewhere.

"I want to make history,” continued Lucas. “I feel that I can win the Champions League with PSG. But it is not only the club, but also life in Paris which is fantastic. That's why I want to stay here long."

Ibrahimovic’s contract is up in the summer, PSG will sign players to try to replace him. Lucas now has seven months to grab the bull by the horns and prove he does have a future at this club.

Lucas may rate himself at a seven, he’d be lucky to be classed as a six—he really needs to push himself up to an eight to achieve his goals with the Ligue 1 champions.