Zlatan Ibrahimovic Shows He Is Worth a New Contract After Nice Victory

Paris Saint-Germain got back to winning ways on Friday night, beating OGC Nice 3-0 at the Allianz Riviera to extend their unbeaten run and improve their lead at the top of the Ligue 1 table.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic was at the heart of the victory, scoring twice and setting up the opener for Edinson Cavani after 35 minutes. He added the second from the spot after being brought down by Niklas Hult at the end of the first half, then he sealed the win with a neat strike from a tight angle.

It is well known that Ibrahimovic’s contract finishes this summer, and until recently, it had looked like the Swedish forward would be continuing his career elsewhere next season. However, quotes from president Nasser Al-Khelaifi put doubt in people’s mind, with Blanc then backing them up this week.

“It's a big question mark,” said Blanc when asked about Zlatan’s future, via Elliot Bretland of the MailOnline. “His contract will run until June 2016 so it's more about what the player wants to do.”

“We are all focused on the league right now but that is a question we will ask ourselves. At 34, Zlatan is showing that he has still got it.”

On Friday night, he proved that he still has what it takes it this level, making an even stronger point after PSG failed to score when he didn’t start the game against Angers.

Lionel Cironneau/Associated Press

For Cavani’s opener, Zlatan started the move from deep—which has been his default position of late—combining with Blaise Matuidi before squaring the ball perfectly for the Uruguayan striker.

Ibrahimovic’s first came at the end of the first half. Played in by Cavani, the forward got in front of Hult and the Swedish full-back could only bundle his countryman to the floor. Hult saw red, and Ibrahimovic tucked away the penalty—and with it became the club’s all-time leading goalscorer in the league.

He scored again in the second half, taking his league total to 87, now two ahead of former leader Mustapha Dahleb on 85 goals. It is a wonderful achievement for a player that has helped transform the fortunes of the Parisian club.

Blanc has put the ball firmly in Ibrahimovic’s court, it is now up to the Swede to decide if he wants to continue his career in the French capital, or look elsewhere for a new adventure.

It seemed set that he would leave, leading to rumours about who would replace the enigmatic talisman. His continued presence at the Parc des Princes would bring up a number or other questions.

Lionel Cironneau/Associated Press

The release of Ibrahimovic’s contract was supposed to be the catalyst for the club trying to land Cristiano Ronaldo this summer, per Uche Amako of the Daily Express. It would also mean another season of Cavani playing on the wing—something he may not be willing to do.

Expectations were that PSG would buy someone to play on the left of the attack and Cavani would move inside. Extending Ibrahimovic’s contract would put a stop to that idea and perhaps change this summer’s strategy.

There is little chance that the club would try to replace both forwards this summer, but if Ibrahimovic continues in Paris, PSG could try to sell on Cavani and use that money to fund a marquee signing to play with Ibrahimovic—bringing about a scenario that could see Ibrahimovic and Cristiano Ronaldo in the same team next year.

Friday night’s victory was a morale-boosting win for the Parisians after Tuesday’s goalless draw against Angers. Without Zlatan, they failed to break down the stubborn newly promoted side, but with the Swede back in the starting lineup he inspired his team-mates to victory—it’s that game-changing ability that could persuade PSG to hang on to their talismanic star for one last season.