Not where he was expected
He arrived at PSG as a wide player. Luis Enrique, though, is looking at him in a different part of the pitch.
According to L’Equipe, the Paris boss is considering using Maghnes Akliouche in midfield, as a box-to-box link man. Not as an emergency option. As a proper role, built to give the regulars a breather over a long season.
It sounds like Luis Enrique all over. He takes a player, shifts the dial, and sees what happens.
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Six players, three spots
The issue is straightforward: there are too many bodies up front. Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue already take up most of the space. Ferran Torres, Mika Godts and Akliouche have been added this summer.
The maths does not work.
The Luis Enrique-Luis Campos duo signed those three for a clear reason: their versatility. That was obvious from the start. None of the three was bought to fill only one slot.
Barcola and Mbaye still up in the air
The picture could change again. Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye are out of the group for now, and their exits remain a live possibility before the window closes.
If both go, the attacking pecking order opens up. Akliouche could then pick up more minutes higher up the pitch. If they stay, the box-to-box role becomes his best route into the starting XI.
It will be interesting to see what the former Monaco man makes of it. At 24, after a full season in Ligue 1, changing position in the opening months at a club of this size is never a small thing. Not for confidence, not for what comes next.
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