The head coach of the Ligue 1 champions says that the star forward must let his football do the talking as he tries to rebuild relationships
The relationship between Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar and the club’s fans is “getting better”, according to head coach Thomas Tuchel.
Brazil international Neymar scored his side’s fourth goal in their 4-0 Ligue 1 victory over Angers at Parc des Princes on Saturday.
The 27-year-old has four goals in his five league appearances this season, all of which have come since the transfer window closed without him having secured a move away from the club.
Neymar was keen to return to Spain and former club Barcelona, although a transfer never materialised, and has been booed by PSG supporters for a perceived lack of commitment to the Ligue 1 champions.
The attention from the stands led Neymar to admit last month that “it’s going to be like playing every game away from home” although he stressed his desire to leave the club was nothing to do with the fanbase.
However, Tuchel thinks his performances are now helping to heal the rift.
“About Neymar, yes, it’s getting better, it’s easier,” he said when asked if he could see some improvement in the relationship.
“I said it’s up to us, up to him to show again and again, be decisive, suffer, run to get the ball. It’s not necessary to talk.
“He showed a lot of things and tried a lot of dribbles [against Angers]. He scored once again, he could even have scored more goals, but he’s still capable of incredible things.
“It’s up to him to show it, really, at the end of the day.”
It’s not all good news for PSG as Kylian Mbappe missed the match with Tuchel confirming he had suffered “a reaction between the scar and the nerve” on a hamstring he injured in August.
Tuchel’s team are now waiting to learn whether the forward will be excused international duty over the next two weeks so he can recover.
“I need to ask [sporting director] Leonardo what we’re doing with Kylian,” he said. “We need to do some treatment. We need to wait for the agreement between the French Football Federation and PSG to know if he goes with the France team.”
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