PSG threaten international shake up after confirming injuries to star duo

Barcelona have two headline clashes in the league phase of the Champions League: a trip to Stamford Bridge to face Club World Cup champions Chelsea and a visit from Champions League-holders Paris Saint-Germain. However PSG will be turning up to Catalonia without one of their key players.

After finally reaching the goal in which billions of euros were spent in pursuit of last season, PSG must now start their title defence. On the first of October, that takes them to Camp Nou to face Barcelona. Among the headlines would have been the return of coach Luis Enrique and Ousmane Dembele to their former club.

However after coming off with an injury while on France duty, Dembele has now been ruled out with a muscle tear that will keep him out for six weeks, including their tie with Barcelona. While the European champions have plenty of depth in the attacking third, Desire Doue is also a doubt for the clash. The 20-year-old also came off in their win over Ukraine, but has been ruled out of their opening game against Atalanta on the 17th of September, and is only due to be back shortly before the Barcelona clash, after suffering a knee injury.

PSG are not happy with France’s perceived lack of care for their players, and as published by RMC Sport, and carried by MD, have sent a letter to French FA President Philippe Diallo. In it they cite the cases of Dembele and Lucas Hernandez as a clear lack of care.

“During the current selection process, two of our injured players, Ousmane Dembélé and Lucas Hernandez, were called up and subsequently kept in the group, despite a clinical situation clearly incompatible with competition.”

They then suggest a shake up of the current system, in which national teams would have to adhere to a communication protocol with club medical staff.

“The current practice, based on unilateralism and a lack of transparency, endangers the physical integrity of players and undermines the institutional trust essential for effective cooperation. In this context, PSG requests the immediate implementation of a formalised medical communication protocol that guarantees systematic, documented, and reciprocal exchanges between the club’s medical staff and the national team; respect for a reinforced precautionary principle in the selection and use of players, especially when they are leaving a series of matches or presenting with a pathology under treatment.”