Choupo-Moting shines in absence of stars
PARIS: His signing at the start of the season was ridiculed by many, but Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting has succeeded in winning over the supporters at Paris Saint-Germain as he stands in for the French champions’ injured superstars.
The giant Cameroon international forward joined PSG just as the transfer window was closing last August, swapping a Stoke City side who had just been relegated from the English Premier League, for the Champions League.
Choupo-Moting signed a twoyear deal with the unenviable task of acting as a back-up for the Ligue 1 side’s front three of Kylian Mbappe, Edinson Cavani and Neymar.
Opportun ities have been limited as a result, but the 29-yearold has played an increasingly important role in recent weeks with both Neymar and Cavani out.
Just seven of his 21 appearances have been starts, although that includes his side’s last two outings.
Nevertheless, on Wednesday he set up one goal in a 3-0 French Cup quarter-final win over Dijon.
Choupo-Moting will hope to keep his place when PSG go to struggling Caen on Saturday.
Neymar is still expected to be out for around a month with a metatarsal injury, but Cavani could make his comeback after three weeks on the sidelines with a hip problem.
Mbappe may also start with PSG seeking an eighth successive win before they face Manchester United in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie next Wednesday, defending a 2-0 first-leg lead.
PSG are 17 points clear of second-placed Lille at the top of Ligue 1, while Caen are in the relegation zone and lost 3-1 at Lyon on Wednesday in the French Cup quarter-finals.
Lyon will hope to have World Cup winner, injured captain Nabil Fekir back in time for Sunday’s game against Toulouse, as they try to hold onto a top-three place and a Champions League qualifying spot.
Lille host Dijon, on yet another weekend in France which has seen fixtures moved due to the ongoing “yellow vest” protest movement.
Rennes saw their match at Nimes called off to allow them a full week to prepare for their Europa League last 16, first leg at home to Arsenal.