One to Watch: Adrien Rabiot

PSG’s young midfield man, Adrien Rabiot, has been consistently linked with a return to England. However, following his very brief stint at Manchester City as no more than a boy, the language barrier suggests he would not flourish as much as he currently is in the French capital.

Defensively minded, this has not stopped Rabiot from grabbing an assist or two, often via his pinpoint passing and through balls that the majority of fellow 20-year-olds could only dream of successfully carrying out. A 91% pass completion rate when his side encountered Ligue 1 rivals, Montpellier, in the closing stages of the 2014/15 campaign earned the promising prospect Man of the Match honours. Additionally, his 6ft 2in form allows him to stretch his physique in order to put an end to likewise moves by his opposite numbers.

On the other hand, in spite of his knack for interceptions, the Frenchman’s delicate physique has its drawbacks, often outmuscled when challenging for possession. But what PSG’s number 25 lacks in power, he certainly makes up in pace and an ability to emerge victorious in aerial duals.

A box-to-box style likened to that of Paul Pogba’s but an attitude, a la Yoann Gourcuff, his passion portrayed in a somewhat feisty front came across during a heated exchange with team-mate, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, during a friendly affair with Chelsea in pre-season. The not-so-friendly disagreement saw the latter concede a set piece that provoked the 20-year-old to go boldly where no other man has gone before. Much to Rabiot’s relief, if nothing else, the pair both possess a sense of humour, simply shrugging off the incident with a chuckle back in the changing rooms.

Loaned out to top flight outfit, Toulouse, in a bid for first-team football back in 2013, it was here that the player-in-question bagged his first senior strike in some fashion. From 25-yards out, Rabiot sent the droves of travelling fans into raptures.

Perhaps it can be said that Rabiot’s lack of errors at the back are due to his short passing range, that has both its advantages and disadvantages. His longest pass last term measured at only 15 metres. To compensate, he is renowned to love a dribble, therefore, beginning to venture forth as opposed to adopting a sitting central-park role, shielding the backline. The 20-year-old’s goal-per-season ratio is on a rapid ascension, on the scoresheet only once throughout the 2012/13 season in comparison to on six occasions spanning between the previous two campaigns.

Currently with international accolades for all tiers of the French national team bar the senior side, but, did you know, that it was only aged 18 that PSG’s homegrown talent first donned his countries colours in the Under-21’s set-up?

The European giants’ ace has masses of talent but merely previews this as he’s yet to hold down a place in the starting 11 on a regular basis as he did during his spell away from the club. In fact, it also may be newfound knowledge to you that his mother, the makeshift agent, once fought his cause to switch elsewhere not too long ago. Veronique’s ambition enough for the both of them if her words are anything to go by. Although, she is right in saying that he ‘cannot afford to spend a season on the bench’ given his ambitions to represent France at Euro 2016.

Attributes:
Pace: 6/10
Heading: 8/10
Power: 7/10
Passing: 9/10
Tackling: 9/10
Total: 39/50