Thierry Henry Reflects on PSG’s Post-Mbappe Era
As Paris Saint-Germain’s all-time leading scorer, Kylian Mbappe departed for Real Madrid this summer, many expected the French champions to experience a significant dip in form. And while the team has indeed struggled to find consistency, none other than Arsenal legend Thierry Henry believes that PSG is currently a more stable unit overall.
However, Henry acknowledged that Mbappe’s departure will always be felt, particularly in terms of the “magic” he brought to the team. Speaking on CBS Sports Golazo, Henry explained, “I think they are a team. They are a bit more stable, less chaotic. But they still lost Mbappe. It’s very difficult. For example, in a game like that, Kylian can turn it into a 2-1 or a winning goal towards the end, a moment of magic. He can turn it around. You lost a bit of magic but the team looks a bit more sound in terms of balance.”
When quizzed by Jamie Carragher if Mbappe’s departure had reduced the pressure on the team, Henry responded, “No, the same. You decided to get rid of those guys. The way it was with the crowd and everything, they decided to go young and I was calling that when I was in France. But when you go young, you can’t go full young too early. You need to have a couple of guys that can be around. Marquinhos stayed, [Achraf] Hakimi is passing the veteran status. You need to have guys that can help those guys to be better also. It doesn’t mean that because Kylian Mbappe left it is easier, I think [Luis Enrique] has to be disappointed in that result tonight.”
PSG’s struggles were evident in their latest Champions League outing, as they were held to a 1-1 draw by PSV Eindhoven at the Parc des Princes. Despite starting strongly, the French champions found themselves 1-0 down by halftime, and despite pulling level through Achraf Hakimi’s 55th-minute goal, they failed to find a winner in the remaining 40 minutes. The result leaves them in 17th place in the rankings, as they continue to search for consistency.
While Henry acknowledged that PSG’s results have been underwhelming, he did highlight the positive aspects of the team’s new balance. “The team looks a bit more sound in terms of balance,” he said. “But you can’t get away from the fact that you’ve lost a player who, on his day, can change the game. It’s a tough one for them to swallow, but they need to move forward.”
