Guillaume Hoarau (42), a former French international forward (5 caps) who notably played for Paris Saint-Germain (2008–2013), was invited by L’Équipe to weigh in on who should start as the central forward for PSG’s match against Villarreal this Tuesday—the fourth round of the league phase (kick-off at 9:00 PM, CET). Ousmane Dembélé (29) is among those sidelined, alongside Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Hoarau: “It’s a question of balance.”
“The question isn’t ‘who can resemble Ousmane Dembélé’ or ‘who can play like Ousmane,’ but rather ‘who can step into that role and serve Luis Enrique’s game plan?’ Any of the four options could play in that position—you’d almost need to combine them all into one player! (laughs). Personally, if I were the coach, I’d choose Ferran Torres.
He isn’t the type of forward who links up play or drops deep in the way Dembélé does, but he possesses true striker’s instincts—attacking the space behind the defense and providing a presence inside the box. I’d also start him to help him regain his clinical edge. You can tell he’s fresh and has the right mindset, as he continues to get himself into scoring positions.
He needs match time to rediscover his efficiency. On the other hand, if Luis Enrique decides to field players who attack the depth—like Godts or Torres—on the flanks, then balance dictates that you need a number 9 who can connect play, bring others into the game, and drop deep. In that scenario, you’d look more toward Akliouche or Mayulu. It’s all a matter of balance.” »
Indeed, one shouldn’t necessarily look for a player identical to Dembélé. He is a unique talent, so things are bound to be a bit different in his absence. That said, there are some excellent options available—some more similar to him than others. Current form plays a role in the selection, as does the overall tactical plan. It also depends on the analysis of the opponent; one can trust the Paris coaching staff to make the best possible choice.
Senny Mayulu, Désiré Doué, Maghnes Akliouche, and Ferran Torres seem the most likely candidates, though a surprise is always possible. It’s worth noting that this decision has a ripple effect on other aspects of the lineup—for instance, if it’s Doué or Akliouche, one must consider who would end up playing out on the flank. Between Mayulu and Torres, the styles of play are quite distinct. Nothing is certain yet; we’ll have to wait for the official team announcements tomorrow to get a clear picture.
