Marco Asensio became the second signing of the Luis Enrique era when he joined Paris Saint-Germain from Real Madrid at the start of the 2023 transfer window. His arrival seemed like a statement of intent Les Parisiensnot so much in the sense that they were demonstrating their financial strength, but because he seemed like the ideal player for a new gaming system.
Asensio previously worked under Luis Enrique as a false nine during Spain's run to the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals. And as the 2023/2024 season began, there was a sense that the Spaniard would operate in that role as one of the clear reference points for the team. Someone who understood Luis Enrique's positional play and could execute it.
After just four games, Asensio suffered a foot injury that would rule him out for most of the first half of the season. He returned to the lineup more regularly in 2024, but the context of the team had changed. The Spaniard was no longer a reference point for the team to adapt to, he was someone who had to adapt to the team.
In his absence, Kylian Mbappé and Gonçalo Ramos were used more regularly at number nine. However, with Mbappe leaving for Real Madrid at the end of his contract and Ramos picking up an injury in the first game of the 2024/25 season, Asensio will once again be heavily relied on as the false nine in a strikerless system.
Domestically, the reward has been PSG rising to the top of the table and registering the best attack in the league. And while Asensio has not been directly involved in many of the goals, with the Spaniard registering just two goals and four assists, this is not the true measure of his usefulness within the squad. His role was that of someone who can help create a more fluid team and facilitate goals from different areas of the pitch.
The disappointment for Asensio this season is that he has not been used often in Les Parisiens' Champions League campaign. Luis Enrique has instead opted for other options as he looks to kick off a European journey that has been far from fruitful for last season's semi-finalists.
Asensio has clearly been useful this season as one of Luis Enrique's standout options, but it remains to be seen how he will be used further in 2025 with the return of Ramos.
GFFN | Nick Hartland
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