Last Sunday was special for everybody at PSG, with a record-equalling 4-0 Classique win over arch-rivals Marseille, but few will have finished the evening happier than Bradley Barcola, making his first start for the capital club since his move from Lyon at the end of the transfer window.
A 21-year-old with bags of talent and plenty of ambition, Bradley Barcola is only just getting started. Handed a first start since his €45 million switch from Lyon, the winger showed the Parc des Princes crowd just what he's capable of…
"I'm very, very happy. I'm very proud to have joined such a big club," he told the Ligue 1 Show. "This is a very ambitious club, that motivates me a lot because I'm somebody who wants to win."
Starry-eyed
What did he think about PSG before he mad the switch?
"I always knew they were a great team," he admitted. "Playing against PSG was always impressive, even watching them on TV. So when I had the chance to come here, I went for it."
The 21-year-old is in good company. Last weekend, he lined up on the left side of a four-pronged attack that included France trio Kylian Mbappé, Randal Kolo Muani and Ousmane Dembélé.
"To play with such great players is a good thing for me," he said. "They'll help me improve, even through their advice. I think it's good for me."
The chat with Luis
Hugely impressive with Lyon in the second half of last season, Barcola scored five goals and set up nine more. His ability to go past opponents and provide telling passes caught the eye of observers around Europe – notably impressing Luis Enrique, who made the France U21 international a transfer priority.
"I had the opportunity to talk to him," recalled Barcola. "He's very a attacking coach. I like that and I know I'll have a lot of opportunities to play. He made me want to join the club even more. So I'm really happy to have a coach like him."
Some have questioned Barcola's decision to leave his boyhood club so soon… the Lyon fans certainly made their feelings clear when he came on for his debut against his former team at the Groupama Stadium.
Barcola's difficult beginnings continued as his first steps on the Parc des Princes pitch coincided with a 3-2 loss against Nice…
On the up and up
But starting and excelling against Marseille has boosted the speedy winger's confidence, and he's now hoping to contribute his first goals and assists in the coming weeks.
"I'm a pretty relaxed guy usually, but when I'm on the pitch I just want to win, so I give everything," he smiled. "I love scoring, but I enjoy setting up goals as well. I'm good at thinking clearly in the final third and I'll try to keep on being decisive."
Barcola's chances of game time in Clermont this weekend got a boost when Kylian Mbappé was forced off injured against Marseille, and the youngster will certainly seize his chance should it arrive.
