Beating Paris Saint-Germain Would Be Perfect Audition for Hatem Ben Arfa

Taking on Paris Saint-Germain is a huge task for any club. However, it also gives players the chance to show just what they are capable of on France’s biggest stage. Earlier in the season, Hatem Ben Arfa, after showing some excellent form for OGC Nice, was linked with a summer move to the Parc des Princes.

On Saturday afternoon, the former Newcastle United forward has 90 minutes to show Laurent Blanc that he’s worthy of a place in the Parisian squad, but also to remind Didier Deschamps that he is good enough for the upcoming UEFA European Championship.

Speaking to French football magazine Onze Mondial back in February (h/t ESPN FC's Mark Rodden), the 29-year-old made it clear he was willing to make the move to Paris this summer.

"The door is still open for PSG. For that matter, it's open to all the clubs. I'm not closing the door on anyone."

He said he wanted to feature for a club that played attractive football, and that limited his options in France.

"I can understand that there are matches where you have to tighten up, that you defend more in," he said. "But playing all the matches like that, where's your enjoyment in that? Who in Ligue 1 is really playing with the ball this season? PSG and Nice, that's all."

VALERY HACHE/Getty Images

Come Saturday’s game, it will be hard for Nice to play with that same freedom, not just because they will need to show a more cautious approach against the champions, but they are also likely to go without the ball for long periods of time.

After Ben Arfa opened the door, Blanc was asked about the possibility of bringing the former Lyon and Marseille man to the Parc des Princes.

"In any case, he's a footballer that I like," Blanc told reporters when asked about Ben Arfa's comments. "We're obliged to like him because he does some incredible things. And whoever likes football is of course obliged to like that. Beyond that, the young guy, the man, is a bit more difficult. All the good players can interest PSG—that's the message I'd deliver to Hatem or to others."

Respectful of his talent, but wary of his past, perhaps a similar situation as to where Ben Arfa currently finds his international chances. Deschamps picked him for the friendlies back in November, but when it comes to selecting his 23-man squad, his inclusion is unlikely.

That was highlighted by his exclusion from the two friendlies last week and the superb performances from Dimitri Payet and Kingsley Coman.

It doesn’t help that his dip in form, that was always expected, came at the wrong time.

Seven goals in the first 10 weeks of the season, Ben Arfa was the toast of Ligue 1. His amazing solo run against Saint-Etienne, perhaps one of the moments of the season. However, he then went 11 weeks without a goal, ending the drought with two penalties against Angers—not exactly vintage HBA.

He also went 20 weeks without contributing an assist, which only led to criticism about his selfishness and inability to find the right pass or get his head up at the right time.

VALERY HACHE/Getty Images

It is one thing to perform a beautiful move and have millions of people share a vine of it, but if it doesn’t provide an end product, it’s all but worthless. The best players, the world-class players, the players that PSG will look to sign in the summer, are more substance than style.

They will still have those moments, but 75 per cent of the time they will lead to something. Sadly, Ben Arfa is usually in that other 25 per cent.

On a free transfer, he could still be an option for Laurent Blanc this summer, but he’s not going to be the game-changing player that the Parisians are looking for, more an interesting option on the bench—and we can all agree that Hatem Ben Arfa is better than that.