COMMENT: After being criticised by his former team-mate, Lucas has stepped up in the absence of Ibrahimovic to begin justifying his billing as a player to watch for PSG.
Even at the time, the attack seemed harsh.
Such was the competition with Ezequiel Lavezzi and Edinson Cavani for the wide berths in Blanc’s 4-3-3 formation, Lucas was unable to win the game time he required in order to truly settle.
Despite this, Ligue 1’s official statistics show that he finished last campaign with 10 assists to his credit. Only Zlatan Ibrahimovic and James Rodriguez completed the season with a greater tally – and both played around 700 more minutes of Championnat football.
Given that Lucas recorded more assists-per-minute than any other top player in France by a significant margin, it might be fair to suggest that Blanc’s lack of trust robbed him of the opportunity to feature in the World Cup in Brazil.
His fearless running was certainly missed by a Selecao offence that so often looked overly reliant on Neymar. But now the 22-year-old has been given an opportunity to sparkle in Ligue 1.
PSG’s attack has been hampered by injuries to Ibrahimovic and Lavezzi of late, while Cavani was recently banned after referee Clement Turpin proved overly-sensitive to the Uruguayan’s gun celebration against Lens.
That Blanc’s men have managed to record four victories in their last five – including a famous 3-2 Champions League success over Barcelona – owes much to the Brazilian. Interestingly, the only game PSG failed to win was the one the former Sao Paulo man did not start versus Monaco.
Since Menez opened his mouth, Lucas has become inspired. He has scored four times in four Ligue 1 starts and has started to carve a niche for himself on the wing in Paris.
During last weekend’s 3-0 success at home against Bordeaux, he assumed the mantle of offensive leader. Without Ibrahimovic and Cavani, Lucas emerged from the shadows and tortured visiting left-back Maxime Poundje, scoring two penalties - the second of which he had won himself.
It cannot be ignored that he is still prone to lacking a consistent clinical edge to his game – both with regards to his shooting and his passing around the area – yet the maturity with which he has coped with the criticism towards him is commendable.
Such was the competition with Ezequiel Lavezzi and Edinson Cavani for the wide berths in Blanc’s 4-3-3 formation, Lucas was unable to win the game time he required in order to truly settle.
Despite this, Ligue 1’s official statistics show that he finished last campaign with 10 assists to his credit. Only Zlatan Ibrahimovic and James Rodriguez completed the season with a greater tally – and both played around 700 more minutes of Championnat football.
Given that Lucas recorded more assists-per-minute than any other top player in France by a significant margin, it might be fair to suggest that Blanc’s lack of trust robbed him of the opportunity to feature in the World Cup in Brazil.
His fearless running was certainly missed by a Selecao offence that so often looked overly reliant on Neymar. But now the 22-year-old has been given an opportunity to sparkle in Ligue 1.
PSG’s attack has been hampered by injuries to Ibrahimovic and Lavezzi of late, while Cavani was recently banned after referee Clement Turpin proved overly-sensitive to the Uruguayan’s gun celebration against Lens.
That Blanc’s men have managed to record four victories in their last five – including a famous 3-2 Champions League success over Barcelona – owes much to the Brazilian. Interestingly, the only game PSG failed to win was the one the former Sao Paulo man did not start versus Monaco.
Since Menez opened his mouth, Lucas has become inspired. He has scored four times in four Ligue 1 starts and has started to carve a niche for himself on the wing in Paris.
During last weekend’s 3-0 success at home against Bordeaux, he assumed the mantle of offensive leader. Without Ibrahimovic and Cavani, Lucas emerged from the shadows and tortured visiting left-back Maxime Poundje, scoring two penalties - the second of which he had won himself.
It cannot be ignored that he is still prone to lacking a consistent clinical edge to his game – both with regards to his shooting and his passing around the area – yet the maturity with which he has coped with the criticism towards him is commendable.
“I'm more ready, more suited to the club and I have more confidence in myself,” he told beIN Sport last weekend.
“I have more space. With [ex-coach Carlo] Ancelotti I just stayed on the right, but I now cover the whole pitch and it is better for me. I try to accelerate, to provoke a mistake from my marker and to create chances - that's my role."
Lucas' assist statistics for last season show that it is a myth to suggest that he has been a flop in Paris, and his recent explosion this term illustrates that he can be a big star. Menez clearly needs to watch more of PSG.
“I have more space. With [ex-coach Carlo] Ancelotti I just stayed on the right, but I now cover the whole pitch and it is better for me. I try to accelerate, to provoke a mistake from my marker and to create chances - that's my role."
Lucas' assist statistics for last season show that it is a myth to suggest that he has been a flop in Paris, and his recent explosion this term illustrates that he can be a big star. Menez clearly needs to watch more of PSG.