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PSG Sporting Director blames mentality problem for the mass exodus of young talent

Speaking in an interview with RMC, PSG Sporting Director Leonardo appeared to blame the mentality of young players in France for the capital club’s decision to conduct a fire sale of promising talent this summer.

“If you wait, you don’t have the player anymore. It is a system that does not help us much. It is true that it is difficult for them. But today, Areola, Rabiot, Nkunku, Diaby, Timothy Weah, Nsoki, they all got to play! That is why they were sold after all. The problem, today, if you are dealing with a player who is 17, 18, 19 years old and has one year remaining on their deal, you are basically forced to let them leave. In France, they already have this mentality to want to leave. The Italian, the Englishman, the Spaniard, he does not leave. He stays in his country. We have a rule that gives them this opportunity. The first contract should be 5 years, not 3 years (it is so owing to LFP regulations on players under the age of 18).”