Edinson Cavani Must Embrace Being Zlatan Ibrahimovic's Replacement at PSG

Paris Saint-Germain successfully defended the Coupe de France with a 4-2 win over Olympique de Marseille at the Stade de France on Saturday.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice, while Blaise Matuidi and Edinson Cavani also found the back of the net for Laurent Blanc’s men. Florian Thauvin and Michy Batshuayi’s strikes for OM were no more than consolations.

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The Sweden international’s double took him to 50 goals for the season across all competitions, and the 34-year-old bowed out a hero.

However, Cavani’s strike was a reminder it is the Uruguayan who will be attempting to replace Ibrahimovic’s goals next campaign. And in a way, El Matador's cool finish from a chance created by the Parisiens' departing talisman was symbolic in many ways.

Before Zlatan announced he would be leaving this summer, speculation was rife that Cavani would be looking to exit the club.

Speaking after the final whistle at the Stade de France, though, as reported by Goal’s Sacha Pisani, the South American put rumours of a Juventus move to bed by emphasising his happiness at Parc des Princes: "I'm very happy. I have a contract in Paris as I keep repeating. These are your journalistic opinion[s]. I'm a football player and I try to do the best to help the team and for the club."

Cavani’s goal against Marseille continued his excellent run of form in cup finals at the Stade de France. In five Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue finals, the 29-year-old has scored six times.

With Ibrahimovic moving on, much has been made of how PSG might replace the towering striker, and a plethora of big-name players have been linked with summer moves to the French capital.

However, speaking post-match with RMC Sport, the French champions’ chairman, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, said the capital club already has the iconic No. 10’s replacement—at least in terms of goals.

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The Qatari lauded the victory over Marseille and revealed PSG’s long-term objective is to win every possible trophy in a single season.

Al-Khelaifi went on to express his hope that next campaign would bring the UEFA Champions League, the club’s main aim.

The 42-year-old also suggested Cavani could be Ibrahimovic’s replacement in Paris, with the Uruguay international already at the club.

Les Parisiens’ No. 9 must seize his chance to fill the void left by Zlatan's departure from Parc des Princes. It is an opportunity the former Napoli man has been crying out for since his debut season in Paris, and now he will get it, he must make the most of it.

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Cavani has shown regularly he could be prolific for PSG since joining in 2013, but he still needs to be more consistent. If the man from Salto can marry regularity with the clinical ability everyone knows he possesses on his day, it is possible he replaces Ibrahimovic as the team's main source of goals.

However, the South American will not be a complete replacement for Zlatan, as the two are very different players. Instead, the Swede’s exit will require Blanc’s men to become more of a team instead of a group driven by one brilliant individual.

There is no doubt PSG will sorely miss Ibrahimovic at times, but moving away from an overdependency on one player will be a good move for the Ligue 1 champions.

Cavani will be one of the main beneficiaries of a more united team, and the challenge is finding the best combination to help the Uruguayan rediscover his prolific form of old.