Following Lionel Messi’s departure from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), the club’s president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has issued a stern warning to the squad.
Kylian Mbappe, who could potentially be the next high-profile player to leave PSG this summer after Messi’s exit, and he is heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid.
Al-Khelaifi addressed the potential changes within the squad during a pre-season training huddle, expressing concerns about turnover and sending a clear message to the current players.
“It is important to tell you that the manager has the power to do as he pleases, it is he who decides,” he is quoted as saying by L’Equipe.
“All together, we need to go in the same direction and show pride to play for this club, this shirt, for PSG, as well as showing happiness and most of all loyalty.
“The club is bigger than anyone here, even me. I expect you to be at 200% during training. Look, you have the best training ground in the world.
“You have everything to succeed here. There is no excuse not to. You lack nothing. You have to work hard. I want to enjoy watching my team.“
It appears to be a firm message to the playing staff at the Parc des Princes after a number of years of underperformance, particularly in the Champions League, by PSG.
It may also signal a change of approach in the transfer market, with the club potentially moving away from signing marquee names as they’ve done in the past with Mbappe, Messi, Neymar and others.