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Paris Saint-Germain find themselves just past the midway point in what has been described as a defining season for the club.
Boasting star power like no other club, PSG have had high expectations of them over the past few years. The club have dominated Ligue 1 over the years, but is yet to taste success in the UEFA Champions League.
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The statement signings of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, and most recently Lionel Messi, have only made expectations soar. With the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as head coach, the side seemingly have no excuse when it comes to challenging for Europe's top prize.
Let's take a look at five PSG players who have underperformed this season.
#5. Thilo Kehrer
Thilo Kehrer has found himself under the microscope with his performances of late.
The German was signed in 2018 for a reported €37 million from Schalke. Kehrer is an extremely versatile player and is capable of playing anywhere along the backline. He has, on occasion, been used in midfield as well to great effect.
Kehrer has now made over 100 appearances for the club and is widely seen as an impactful player when deployed in the right position. His performances this season have not been up to the mark and have resulted in the 25-year-old becoming the target of criticism.
Kehrer has been used as a center-back and a right-back this season, but has failed to offer the quality that is expected of him from Mauricio Pochettino.
#4. Abdou Diallo
Abdou Diallo is another player who has yet to come into his own during his time at PSG.
Diallo joined PSG in 2019 after a year with Borussia Dortmund. He was excellent for the German heavyweights and earned the attention of Europe's elite with his performances.
Since joining PSG, Diallo's impact has been underwhelming. A center-back by trade, he has failed to live up to the lofty standards set by Marquinhos and Presnel Kimpembe in the same position.
Diallo recently won the Africa Cup of Nations trophy with Senegal, contributing immensely to the success. Still only 25, Diallo has a long road ahead of him.
#3. Georginio Wijnaldum
Georginio Wijnaldum is yet to make any substantial impact since signing for Paris Saint-Germain.
The Dutchman spent five successful years with Liverpool before joining Paris Saint-Germain last year on a free transfer. Initially considered a shrewd piece of business by the French outfit, the transfer is yet to reap any real rewards.
Wijnaldum is recognized as one of Europe's most experienced and versatile midfielders. He is extremely crafty in possession and often makes useful tackles and interceptions.
Wijnaldum has made 19 appearances for Paris Saint-Germain this season, but is yet to replicate the quality he displayed during his Liverpool days. He has already been linked with a move away from the club in the summer.
#2. Lionel Messi
To call Lionel Messi an underperformer is bound to raise eyebrows.
Unfortunately for the Argentine, things haven't quite been rosy since he moved to Paris Saint-Germain. Signed on a free transfer last year, Messi left boyhood club Barcelona after 16 long and successful years.
Messi seemed like the missing piece in the squad when he was signed, but he is yet to reach the levels he regularly used to display for Barcelona.
Messi is well-known for putting up astronomical numbers of goals and assists year after year. His output has dropped considerably this year.
After initial struggles, however, Messi seems to have adjusted to life in France in the last couple of months.
Messi has just two league goals to his name this season. With over half the season completed already, Messi certainly has a lot to do as we approach the business end of season.
#1. Mauro Icardi
Mauro Icardi's move to Paris Saint-Germain simply hasn't worked out.
The Argentine is an excellent goalscorer, but has seen his form dip drastically over the last three years. His best-ever season came with Inter Milan in 2017-18, when Icardi managed a ridiculous 29 goals in just 34 league appearances.
Icardi followed this up with another decent season at Inter, after which he moved to join Paris Saint-Germain in 2020. In the two years since, Icardi's output has been underwhelming to say the least.
The 28-year-old has only managed to score 11 league goals in the last two years. Amid serious concerns about his form, the Argentine has reportedly been offered to several clubs already.
It looks increasingly likely that Icardi will be on the move this summer.
