Marco Verratti’s Potential Is Limitless, but PSG Have a Ceiling

Marco Verratti is the perfect symbol for this current Paris Saint-Germain squad. He’s a promising young talent moulded and developed into a gifted international, and he has the world at his feet. However, it may take something special for the midfielder to reach the next level.

PSG signed the Italian from Pescara in the summer of 2012, after they had just missed out on the Ligue 1 title by three points to Montpellier HSC. Thiago Silva, Lucas Moura, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic also joined that window.

Verratti wasn’t the marquee signing, but he hit the ground running and looked promising. When he made his debut on the opening day of the season, all eyes were on Ibrahimovic. However, Verratti would start 23 games in his maiden season, with 11 yellow cards and one red. There was no denying his tenacity.

During the next two campaigns, the young Italian would quickly establish himself as one of PSG’s most important players and easily one of the hottest midfielders in Europe.

His talent was undeniable. Carlo Ancelotti saw it, Laurent Blanc appreciated it. They knew how good he could be but often prodded the terrier to alter his style to a more safety-first approach.

Verratti talked about his style and his managers’ resistance to it, per the Telegraph.

I have always done that, ever since I was young and when I join a new team or I play with a new manager there is always a bit of a fight at the beginning and then they understand that’s my style of play and they eventually do it.

It is stronger than me. I want to play differently because I think I have got something, something different, and if one day I let a goal happen that should not have happened then, well, I will take the responsibility for that but I will also continue to play that way.

As infuriating as it can be, it is also wonderful to watch. Refusing to take the easy way out, Verratti will twist and turn to evade pressing attackers and find a way to scramble out of trouble.

Still only 23 years old, he has already made 111 league appearances in France, picked up 36 yellow cards and scored three goals.

“Ever since Verratti arrived at PSG, I figured we would see a future big star,” Swedish journalist and PSG fan Andreas Karlsson told Bleacher Report. “I just didn’t think he would make such an impact so fast.”

“The Italian is already one of the best central midfielders in the world. And if you actually take a close look at Verratti’s performances for PSG, you can clearly see the development he has had. It’s quite amazing,” Karlsson continued. 

Injury hampered his progression last season, but there is no doubt he has the footballing world at his feet. PSG know it. He knows it. His agent, Donato Di Campli, certainly knows it.

“It’s …

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