With the signatures of Neymar and Kylian Mbappé in the summer, Angel Di Maria was destined to be something of a super-sub in the current campaign, but injury to the Brazilian superstar has seen the Argentina forward step up and play a key role in his side's success. In fact, season 2017-18 has been Di Maria's best so far in Paris, with 21 goals and 15 assists in 42 appearances in all competitions.

'I knew it would work that way'

"When the club made those signings in the summer, I knew it would be tougher to win a place in the team," Di Maria told France Football. "Not because I didn't feel that I was capable, but because a player who signs for a club gets game time. It's the same everywhere, be it here or in China. I knew it would work that way. There was a moment where I almost left, but the club didn't want me to and so I stayed to help achieve the objectives."  

Di Maria is under contract with Paris until 2019, but is evidently weighing up his options going forward, taking into account the restrictions imposed on the club by financial fair play regulations.

Cold hard facts

"I'm very happy here, but the club needs to bring players in and to do that, they need to sell as well," Di Maria explained. "So it's impossible to say with 100 per cent certainty whether or not I will stay. The decision is not entirely mine to make - it's the club's too. Both parties have to be on the same wavelength for things to continue."

However, the Argentine does not believe that the impending change of coach - it has already been announced that Unai Emery will no longer hold the reins at the capital club next season - will play a key role in whether he stays or goes.

"It's not the coach who decides a player's future," he declared. "He can give his opinion, obviously, but in the end it's the club that decides who stays and who goes. Often, the coach doesn't really get to have a say."