Luis Enrique may regret approving Barcola's PSG exit

Paris Saint-Germain’s decision to let Bradley Barcola leave for Liverpool is already under scrutiny after the team’s opening matches of the 2026/27 season exposed a shortage of direct attacking movement. Luis Enrique approved the winger’s departure, but the choice has removed a specialist option from an attack built around technical combinations.

Barcola offered PSG more than close control and link play. His acceleration without the ball and ability to attack space behind defensive lines gave the team a way to unsettle opponents sitting deep. Those qualities are now particularly relevant as Paris struggle to produce vertical runs and sudden changes of pace against compact blocks.

PSG signed Maghnes Akliouche, Ferran Torres and Mika Godts to add attacking options, but each generally prefers receiving possession at his feet, taking on defenders or contributing to structured build-up. None fully matches the runs and penetration Barcola provided from the flank. Luis Enrique had rejected Liverpool’s approach a year earlier and PSG had then treated the Frenchman as unavailable.

The coach can still gain greater depth from the returns of Nuno Mendes and Achraf Hakimi, although their threat comes from different areas. If PSG’s attacking imbalance continues, approving Barcola’s transfer will become one of Enrique’s first disputed decisions of the campaign.