PSG’s €45 Million Rising Star: Introducing Bradley Barcola, the ‘New Mbappe

In the bustling world of football transfers, Paris Saint-Germain’s latest acquisition, Bradley Barcola, is making waves as the promising young talent dubbed the ‘new Mbappe.’ The 20-year-old sensation has made his way to Parc des Princes from Lyon after a stellar season in Ligue 1, leaving fans and pundits alike in awe of his talents.

Most of PSG’s summer transfer dealings have taken them beyond the borders of Ligue 1. Players like Manuel Ugarte, Goncalo Ramos, and Cher Ndour arrived from Portugal, while Marco Asensio and Ousmane Dembele were brought in from La Liga, and Milan Skriniar came from Serie A. However, PSG has finally turned its attention to the rich pool of talent on home soil.

Bradley Barcola is not only PSG’s first but perhaps the only domestic transfer this season. The young attacker was signed from Lyon, and his versatility allows him to play in various positions in the forward line. His standout performances last season were instrumental in Lyon’s recovery from a tumultuous campaign marked by ownership changes and lackluster displays from seasoned players.

However, the €45 million (approximately £39 million or $57.2 million) price tag for a relatively unknown 20-year-old is substantial. While player valuations have skyrocketed in today’s market, a €45 million player is not usually someone you’d be quick to search for on Google. So, who is Bradley Barcola, what can he bring to PSG, and why did they invest heavily in a position they already seemed to have covered? Let’s delve into the intriguing journey of this young French talent.

Barcola’s Background Barcola has been a part of Lyon’s youth system for a significant part of his footballing journey. Born into a Togolese family less than 10 miles from the Stade de Gerland – the former home of French football giants – he began his footballing journey with AS Buers, a small suburban club in Villeurbanne. After two years, he moved to Lyon’s academy, following in the footsteps of past talents like Eric Abidal, Hatem Ben Arfa, Florent Malouda, Samuel Umtiti, and Karim Benzema. His story is somewhat familiar; he wasn’t marked as a prodigious talent, but he steadily progressed through the ranks of his local club.

Barcola likely benefited from a rare dry spell in Lyon’s academy, as the renowned French club had not produced top-tier talents in a short period toward the end of the 2010s. Nevertheless, he did enough to stay and make an impact at various youth levels. Significant Breakthrough Barcola’s breakthrough came when he began scoring goals prolifically for the U19 team in both the UEFA Youth League and the Ligue 1 reserve side. His impressive start to the year 2020 established him as the standout winger in Lyon’s youth ranks, netting nine goals in 15 matches and providing three assists. This form earned him a promotion to the reserves and the opportunity to train with the first team.

Peter Bosz’s tenure as Lyon’s manager was short-lived, lasting only 10 matches before he was dismissed at the end of 2021. However, he decided to give promising young talents a chance, and Barcola was one of them. He was called up to train with the senior squad and featured regularly in the starting lineup during the first half of the season.

While his lone assist in his debut appearance against Sparta Prague in the Europa League may not have immediately won the trust of the new manager, Laurent Blanc, it was certainly a sign of what was to come. Barcola made two starts in the final three matches of the season, a clear indication of his growing influence.

What Followed Next? Barcola’s journey to becoming a regular starter continued in 2023. It took him a few months to adapt to the team, and he initially received limited minutes. However, he made his mark early in January by scoring against Metz in the French Cup, capping off an impressive display.

This marked the beginning of a successful run for his team. Lyon had struggled in the first half of the season, affected by poor form on both sides of the World Cup. However, everything changed when Barcola shone. The agile winger started most of the matches in the latter half of the season, scoring seven goals and providing eight assists as Les Gones turned their fortunes around.

Blanc was quick to praise his qualities in early April: “He’s not hesitant… He scores, even though he doesn’t necessarily have to be a traditional center forward. He can easily eliminate opponents with his technical finesse and speed.”

Barcola’s French moment came in a 1-0 victory against PSG. Although he didn’t start the match, Amin Sarr’s injury forced him onto the field, and for 70 minutes, he wreaked havoc on Paris’s defense with his pace and skill. He sealed the impressive 1-0 win with a decisive goal, sneaking behind the defense and coolly chipping the ball past Gianluigi Donnarumma. It was a performance that seemingly justified a hefty price tag.

Barcola’s Strengths Bradley Barcola embodies the modern winger archetype. He possesses all the qualities of a top-tier talent. As one of Europe’s fastest 20-year-olds, he’s lightning-quick and skillful when dribbling, capable of taking on opponents one-on-one. He excels in counter-attacking situations and is adept at delivering precise diagonal passes to create opportunities for advancing forwards – a skill that will undoubtedly benefit PSG, especially playing alongside Kylian Mbappe.

In terms of versatility, he’s quite flexible. While Barcola predominantly uses his right foot, he has shown his prowess across the attacking front, comfortably hugging the right flank or cutting inside to take on a forward role on the left side.

Crucially for Luis Enrique, Barcola is a hardworking player who doesn’t shy away from the dirty work outside the 18-yard box. He ranks highly in statistics related to interceptions, tackles, and spatial duels on the wings. This is a massive talent who is poised to flourish within the right system.

Areas for Improvement Like any young winger, there are concerns about Barcola’s goal-scoring ability. Last season, he often found himself in promising positions but didn’t always make the right decisions. Barcola sometimes drew frustrated glances from Alexandre Lacazette when he erred in passing or took unwise shots. However, this may not be a major concern for PSG, where he’s bound to receive plenty of opportunities. He’ll be allowed to be less clinical within the 18-yard box.

Another potential challenge relates to Barcola’s ability to operate in tight spaces. He’s impactful when sprinting at full speed, but Luis Enrique prefers possession-based football, and PSG may face compact defenses in most Ligue 1 matches. Similar to Sadio Mane or Gabriel Martinelli, Barcola could struggle in such situations, at least in the early days of his PSG tenure.

Is Barcola the Next Marcus Rashford? There are some clear comparisons for Barcola. In many ways, he evokes memories of Gabriel Martinelli, especially in his fearless approach to counter-attacks and his ability to accelerate and decelerate with excellent precision. He also bears some resemblance to Sadio Mane.