Tactical analysis

At PSG, Rabiot was used mainly as a central midfielder, but he can also play in a more defensive role as either a single or double pivot. The Frenchman is perhaps most suited to playing in a central midfield trio, as a deep-lying playmaker responsible for progressing the ball from defence into attack. He will take up positions within the inside channel, providing a passing link between his central defenders and the wide players. Should opponents look to counter-attack while the full-backs are out of position, Rabiot’s deeper positioning allows him to cover and thus slow down his opponents while teammates recover and press the ball.

In his career to date, Rabiot has been neither a prolific goalscorer nor creator of goals. He rarely breaks into the opposing penalty area as supporting midfielders sometimes do – in six seasons at senior level, he has only once reached double figures for combined goals and assists – though he is more than competent at dribbling away from pressure, particularly when counter-pressed within his own half (below). With some work on the training ground, there is little reason he can’t replicate this skill to some effect in the attacking half.