Although Paris Saint-Germain have become synonymous with big-money signings and smashing transfer records left, right and centre, they are more than a spending club. The emergence of Adrien Rabiot is certainly a testament to that as the 19-year-old central midfielder has established himself as first-choice in a team filled with superstars. Ever since he broke into the first-team aged just 17, he has quickly established as one to watch out for in the coming years. Rumours of his departure have been circling for some time now, but with PSG having to balance the books, he might just leave this time around.
Career history
Born in Saint-Maurice, a southeastern suburb of Paris in 1995, it was very clear the Rabiot was destined to become a footballer. He started his career at the tender age of 6, playing for US Créteil-Lusitanos until he turned 13. Then he moved to Manchester to play for Manchester City, but struggled to adapt to life in England, without knowing the language and subsequently moved back to Créteil in six months for his third spell with the club.
Rabiot moved to PSG’s youth academy in 2010 and signed his first professional contract with his boyhood club after he turned 18. After making his debut for the club in the 2012/13 season under coach Carlo Ancelotti, Rabiot’s rise was meteoric. Last season he made over 20 League appearances for the club, even scoring a couple of goals in the process. He has played for all the French youth teams from U-16 to U-21 but is still yet to make his senior debut for Les Bleus.
Style of Play
To say that Rabiot is the complete wouldn’t be an understatement at all. For the 19-year-old is capable of playing anywhere in midfield, whether it is a holding midfielder or a box-to-box midfielder or even an attacking midfielder. Standing at 6’2, Rabiot is physically imposing and although physicality wasn’t always his strong suit, he has bulked up over the summer, making him an even tougher proposition to contain. Blessed with intelligence and eye for a pass, Rabiot is often used as a deep-lying playmaker in the Andrea Pirlo-mode, but has shown on more than one occasion that he can be the engine room of the side with his ability to join in and help the attack.
Strengths
Rabiot’s biggest strength is his positional awareness and his ability to hold onto the ball. Whether it is finding his teammates through pinpoint through balls or a slide-rule ball beyond the defence, his ability on the ball is beyond question. His vision is immaculate and can see things on the pitch that other more experienced midfielders can’t at the tender age of 19. Rabiot’s ability to be precise and accurate with his passing, combined with the tenacity with which he rampages forward make him a complete threat in midfield. Not only does he have the engine to keep going, but he is also very aware of where he is and is great at tracking back as well.
Weaknesses
One glaring weakness in his play was his inability to make use of his physique. His lanky physique meant that he never quite excelled while making a tackle, but it looks like he has finally bulked up over the summer and it remains to be seen if he can address. Not only that, his finishing too is an area that he needs to improve on if he is to be taken seriously as a box-to-box midfielder.
Possible destinations
Over the past few weeks, Chelsea and Arsenal have been queueing for his signature. With the teenager unlikely to be the first-choice starter for PSG this season, the chances are that he will want to move on and enhance his career further. With Chelsea already having plenty of options in central midfield, Arsenal are the most likely destination for the teenager, who will certainly find the Emirates to his liking.
Verdict
Blessed with immaculate vision and the ability to play in multiple positions, it looks like Adrien Rabiot has all the makings of becoming one of the future superstars. Still only 19, he has already made over 40 appearances for PSG, but the embarrassment of riches at the club means that he is likely to look elsewhere to gain some regular first-team action. Arsenal look the perfect club for him and all Rabiot has to do is continue his upward progress and develop a physical game as well and he might well the midfielder Wenger has been searching for.