Why PSG Must Not Sell Javier Pastore to Liverpool or Juventus This Summer
It has largely been a season to forget for Paris Saint-Germain’s Javier Pastore, but the Argentina international is doing his best to finish this frustrating campaign in style.
Since returning to action as a second-half substitute in the 1-0 UEFA Champions League quarter-final second-leg defeat away at Manchester City on April 12, El Flaco has featured against FC Lorient, Lille OSC and Stade Rennais across all domestic competitions.
Pastore scored the opening goal and was arguably PSG’s best player in their 2-1 Coupe de la Ligue final victory over Lille at Stade de France on April 23.
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The South American was equally impressive in the 4-0 thrashing of Rennes in Ligue 1 on Friday, and he also looked sharp as a substitute in the 1-0 win away at Lorient in the Coupe de France semi-final on April 19.
With matches against Gazelec Ajaccio, Girondins de Bordeaux, FC Nantes and bitter rivals Olympique de Marseille to come before the end of term, Pastore has a chance to build on the momentum produced by his recent good form.
Assuming that the former Palermo man remains fit and in form until the end of the season, Argentina manager Gerardo Martino will probably select him for this summer’s Copa America Centenario in the U.S.
Although his participation with La Albiceleste would not be good news for PSG—considering how last summer’s involvement in the Copa America in Chile influenced his injury-hit 2015-16 campaign—it is unlikely he will be left out.
However, representing his country this summer would give scouts extra time to watch Pastore, with a number of clubs reportedly keen on the cultured playmaker.
According to France Football’s Nabil Djellit, Les Parisiens’ No. 27 is of serious interest to Premier League side Liverpool. Juventus are also mentioned in the same piece and credited with a keenness to bring the Argentinian back to Italy’s Serie A.
Although regeneration is required at PSG this summer regardless of coach Laurent Blanc’s future, the French champions should not be considering the sale of Pastore in order to make room for or to finance new arrivals.
The 26-year-old must be integral to the French champions’ rejuvenation from within, and the capital club’s ambitious owner, Qatar Sports Investments, should be planning for the future with Pastore as one of the team’s leaders on the pitch, along with Marco Verratti, Marquinhos and Angel Di Maria.
Admittedly, the gifted Argentinian’s campaign has been a far from ideal follow up to last season’s stellar performance. Considering the disappointing nature of the two years between 2012 and 2014, last term was something of a rebirth for the Talleres academy graduate.
Fit again and getting regular minutes on the pitch, though, Pastore is illustrating the difference he could make. With him and Verratti playing, PSG are a totally different side.
Devoid of creativity when the Argentinian and the Italy international are unavailable, Blanc’s men are much more inventive when they are in the starting XI, and the football is not only more attractive, but it is more effective too.
If given a chance to pick up where he left off in 2014-15, a fully recuperated Pastore has plenty to offer the Ligue 1 giants.
There is no way QSI should be considering turning its back on a player who extended his contract until 2019 just last summer, as reported by PSG’s official website, especially considering how the player fought back from a prolonged slump in form.
Any regeneration that takes place at Parc des Princes this summer must feature Pastore as a protagonist so the French capital outfit make the most of the talented players they possess who are not close to 30.
One of PSG’s seasoned stars who could be on his way out at the end of this campaign is Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The super Swede is out of contract in June, and there has been no suggestion the 34-year-old will prolong his stay in Paris past this summer.
Assuming the French champions’ talismanic No. 10 does move on, his position on the pitch will be available, which could hand Pastore the opportunity to re-establish himself in Blanc’s starting XI beyond all doubt and become one of the team’s main influences.
Ibrahimovic likes to drop deep from his central attacking role in the exact position a natural No. 10, such as Pastore, occupies. Without Zlatan there to step on his toes, the South American could come to the fore.
There is little doubt teams such as Liverpool and Juventus would welcome the acquisition of a player as talented as Pastore, but PSG should not even be tempted to contemplate a sale.
With Les Parisiens likely to need a playmaker when Ibrahimovic departs, why look for a new one elsewhere when they already possess one of the finest in European football?
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