Neymar Scores as PSG Defeat Angers in 2-1 Win

Neymar helped Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain reach 88 points by scoring and assisting in a 2-1 away win against Angers at Stade Raymond Kopa on Saturday.

After his diving header opened the scoring in the first half, Neymar played in Angel Di Maria to double the lead just before the hour mark. Those contributions meant Les Parisiens won for the 28th time in the French top flight this season, despite losing centre-back Marquinhos to a red card late on.

The skipper for the day was dismissed for bringing down Wilfried Kanga in the box. Flavien Tait saw the resulting penalty saved by Gianluigi Buffon but soon found the net to ensure a nervy ending for Neymar and Co.

Neymar Deserves a More Creative Midfield

It was no coincidence Neymar's goal was assisted by Dani Alves, a nominal right-back playing out of position. More to the point, the key pass didn't come from a midfield painfully lacking in creativity.

Aside from Di Maria, there is an absence of vision, guile and flair from the central areas of midfield. This absence is best summed up by Marco Verratti, Adrien Rabiot and Leandro Paredes accounting for a mere four assists between them in all competitions this season.

It's a problem unlikely to be solved by adding Ander Herrera, who is tipped to move to the French capital this summer, per RMC Sport (h/t MailOnline's Amitai Winehouse), after announcing his impending departure from Manchester United on Saturday.

Herrera is a talented player, but he has become more of a destructive force rather than a creative one during his time with the Red Devils. What Les Parisiens need is a player who can exploit defensive gaps and release runners by threading passes between the lines.

A skilled technician such as Barcelona's Philippe Coutinho fits the bill. Sport's Joaquim Piera reported last month how PSG "maintain their interest" in the Brazil international schemer.

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Coutinho has struggled to impose himself at the Camp Nou, but the former Liverpool man possesses the natural craft a striker like Neymar needs to help him dominate the global scene in a PSG shirt.

Another option might be Coutinho's fellow Brazilian Allan. The Napoli pass-master is still in PSG's sights, according to L'Equipe (h/t Calciomercato).

His mix of tenacity and quality on the ball would give PSG manager Thomas Tuchel the creative hub he needs in the middle.

Alternatively, Tuchel might warm to the idea of reuniting with Julian Weigl, a midfield metronome he helped turn into a star at Borussia Dortmund.

Back in January, Weigl told Sport Bild (h/t Sky Sports) that Dortmund turned down a transfer request, believed to be aimed at securing a move to the Parc des Princes.

Weigl is neat in possession and intuitive with his passing, qualities he showcased when Dortmund beat Fortuna Dusseldorf 3-2 on Saturday:

Without adding a true technician to the middle of the park, PSG will remain reliant on Neymar for both goals and creativity. At his best, he can handle the dual role, as proved by the way he teed up Di Maria for Les Parisiens' second goal.

Signing a top-level playmaker would make Neymar and fellow forward Kylian Mbappe even more deadly in front of goal next season. It may also prove the key to PSG finally making the grade in the UEFA Champions League.

What's Next?

PSG host Dijon on Saturday, May 18, while Angers are away to second-placed Lille on the same day.