João Neves' dip in form threatens his starting spot at Paris Saint-Germain

The performance of Portuguese midfielder João Neves has declined recently, leading to a temporary drop in his position in manager Luis Enrique's pecking order at Paris Saint-Germain, according to French newspaper "L'Équipe."

The most significant indicators of this came during the match against Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League, when Luis Enrique preferred to start Warren Zaïre-Emery over João Neves, in a game that ended with Paris Saint-Germain winning 4-2.

João Neves has established himself as a key player in the midfield of Paris Saint-Germain since joining from SL Benfica in the summer of 2024, thanks to his technical abilities and contributions to pressing, ball recovery, and build-up play. However, his recent decline in effectiveness has opened the door for his competitors to seize greater opportunities.

Despite this decline, the player's situation does not raise concern within Paris Saint-Germain, as the matter is viewed as temporary. The coaching staff is keen to manage his playing minutes and handle some physical issues he has been experiencing with caution.

A strong competition for midfield positions is expected in the upcoming period as the team prepares to face FC Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League.