Bradley Barcola Steps Up: PSG’s Bright Future After Mbappé

After departing for Real Madrid upon the expiration of his contract, Kylian Mbappé left a significant gap in the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) lineup. Despite the buzz surrounding potential high-profile replacements, no star player has joined PSG this season. Instead, Bradley Barcola, a young talent from Lyon, has stepped up to take on the pivotal role on the left flank of the attack, impressing observers, including former player Christophe Jallet.

The Search for Mbappé’s Successor

Throughout the summer, numerous names were floated as possible replacements for Kylian Mbappé at PSG, yet none came to fruition. The only addition to the attacking front was Desiré Doué, with the club feeling confident in their existing squad to fill the void left by the French captain. So far this season, Doué has claimed the left-wing position, and his performance has been noteworthy, tallying four goals in just three appearances. Jallet noted that Barcola‘s playing style closely mirrors that of Mbappé, which has been a source of optimism for the team.

“He Has the Same Qualities as Mbappé”

Jallet expressed his admiration for Barcola, stating, “He has the same qualities; it’s truly uplifting and a bright spot amidst the gloom.” His praise came after Barcola scored the fastest goal in French national team history during a match against Italy. He added, “He doesn’t overthink things; he’s established himself with a strong personality, and he’s beneficial for this French team. It’s evident he has grown, especially under Luis Enrique’s tactical guidance. Though he faced an adjustment period, he is now performing above average and is open to further development.”

A Strong Start for Barcola

Jallet continued, “We questioned how PSG would cope after Mbappé. We already have part of the answer: Bradley Barcola has asserted himself on the left side of the attack. There’s no doubt about his position; he has successfully made his mark right from the start of the season and is delivering strong performances.” He acknowledged that while Barcola is still early in his career compared to the “stratospheric” Mbappé, he is laying a solid foundation. “If he is well supported and integrated, he could become a key player for both PSG and the French national team.”