PSG possible starting lineup for Ligue 1 encounter against Rennes

Left winger - Kylian Mbappe

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Neymar Jr. has returned to training but Friday's game will come too early for him. Kylian Mbappe has been Paris Saint-Germain's best player this season. He has scored 11 goals and provided nine assists in 21 Ligue 1 appearances this term.

Mbappe scored PSG's fifth goal in their 5-1 win over Lille last weekend. The 23- year-old, whose future remains unresolved, is undoubtedly PSG's greatest asset right now. His blistering pace and trickery is expected to cause a lot of trouble for the Rennes backline tonight.

Centre-forward - Lionel Messi

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Lionel Messi has done significantly better playing in a central role as opposed to when he is stationed out on the flanks. The Argentinian international was exceptional against Lille, scoring a goal and bagging an assist.

Speaking to Amazon Prime after the game, Mbappe discussed Messi's ability to dominate games when he plays more centrally. The 23-year-old said:

“It’s better when Leo is in the middle? Yes, but I’m not the coach.

“Leo is a player who needs to be on the ball, to feel the game and the match to be involved. I think it’s a good position for him, he’s free, he can move around and take off.

“Me, I can play everywhere. I started in the middle, then on the right and now on the left but I still have a certain freedom in my movements.”

Messi is tipped to turn things around in the second half of the season after a bit of an underwhelming start to life at PSG. He looked sharp against Lille and Pochettino will want Messi to kick on in the same manner and get more wind in his sails ahead of the Champions League tie against Real Madrid.

Right winger - Angel Di Maria

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Angel Di Maria was taken off at half-time in the game against Lille. He suffered a calf injury but Pochettino allayed the fears of the PSG faithful by revealing that it was nothing serious. He said:

“I don’t think it’s very serious. It’s a leg knock and I really hope he’s available as soon as possible.”

If it is not serious, Di Maria will start for PSG down the right side. The Argentinian international has not been at his best in recent weeks but his qualitiy is undeniable.