Randal Kolo Muani is currently in a bizarre situation with Paris Saint-Germain and France, with the 25-year-old striker without Goncalo Ramos for the competition at the center of Luis Enrique’s attack on Paris, but precious minutes and goals are still few and far between to see. The Portuguese hitman has already been ruled out injured earlier this season and is expected back later this year, but he has not been replaced by Kolo Muani, with the Frenchman still largely a substitute as false nine experiments are favored by the Spanish tactician in the Parc des Princes.
Kolo Muani has two Ligue 1 goals and another UEFA Nations League goal to his name in all competitions so far, but the real concern is that he won’t be trusted with the minutes expected of a near-$100 signing million. The 67-minute outing that the former Eintracht Frankfurt and FC Nantes player enjoyed with Les Bleus last September is only behind a full 90-minute outing against Stade de Reims and a slightly longer 70 minutes against Havre AC with PSG.
Kolo Muani was used for less than 30 minutes on five separate occasions, two of which turned out to be goal-scoring cameos, with only his start for the French against the Belgians yielding a goal as a member of the starting eleven. Although it’s still quite early, last year’s seven goals and five assists in all competitions are already starting to look better given the lack of opportunities Luis Enrique gives his number 23 through the middle and is flanked by fellow French international Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele.
Paris looked more balanced with Kolo Muani playing as a focal point in attack, which was reflected in last week’s 2-0 UEFA Champions League defeat at Arsenal, where Les Parisiens were demonstrably better in the second half once he took the lead. a direct threat. However, the goals are not there yet, so this international breakthrough is crucial for Kolo Muani at France, as the absence of captain Kylian Mbappé offers a golden opportunity to impress Didier Deschamps, who seems to trust him despite his shaky form since his return to his home country.
All this is in stark contrast to his breakout campaign at Frankfurt, where he scored an impressive 17 goals with 11 assists in all competitions. This hardly seems credible given his current situation, but it does explain his high price tag. Kolo Muani is even outshone by his replacement in Germany by former PSG man Hugo Ekitike – who endured a similarly problematic spell in the French capital – and has already scored three goals and assists in all competitions.
There’s a huge difference in price tags, but the Bundesliga team certainly seems to be getting the better end of the deal – for now. October’s internationals could change that for Kolo Muani against Israel and Belgium, but he must make the most of the time remaining before Ramos returns.
For now, the Portugal international is working his way back from surgery on his ankle, which he injured just minutes into the new season, while providing an assist in the opening game of the season. Realistically, it will be at least until the end of November before he does that. be ready to lead the line completely. If Kolo Muani is unable to apply more pressure between now and then, he will be assigned to a substitute role, where the club will hope he can somehow resemble Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran.
Considering how much PSG have spent on the Frenchman, there is no way the club and Luis Enrique can be satisfied with the returns they have had so far. The Spaniard should see his team become more coherent in attack if he persists with Kolo Muani. The next two matches with the French team could change that perspective ahead of an important series of home games, offering a good opportunity for minutes, goals and assists to be capitalized on when presented as the winter transfer window looms on the horizon.