When Neymar and Kylian Mbappé arrived in the summer, it was difficult to see how other French clubs would stop them from disappearing over the horizon with every domestic honor going. The only problem is that Unai Emery’s players also seem to believe that and, in recent weeks, this assumption has noticeably affected their displays. As a smirking Neymar trudged from the Vélodrome pitch, having been sent off with his side trailing 2-1 to Marseille, it seemed as if that arrogance had finally taken over.It was an unimpressive end to an unimpressive week for Neymar, who started training on Tuesday morning trying to surreptitiously nutmeg his team-mates. Having failed on Marquinhos, he slipped the ball through the legs of a politely amused Thiago Silva and then wildly celebrated his achievement before jokingly blocking the club captain’s warm-up runs. Neymar proceeded to half-heartedly jog along behind his colleagues, barely following the example of his coaches, doing everything at his own, slow pace. According to L’Equipe, he also had a row with Emery at training later in the week.
Despite some effervescent early displays, the team’s free-flowing attacking play and intensity has waned over the last few weeks as they have become disjointed. Their sheer weight of talent, coupled with Monaco’s current deficiencies, means they sit four points clear at the top of Ligue 1 but their form is stuttering. Having started the season with six straight wins, they drew with Montpellier a few weeks ago and have relied on late goals to nick a win at Dijon and now a draw at Marseille.
Neymar’s influence has rapidly declined. Upon his arrival, he insisted he simply wanted to “help the team”. He has scored 10 goals in all competitions but he does not look motivated by helping the team – or even being a part of the team. Their season has become, perhaps inevitably, all about him.
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A puerile onfield spat with Edinson Cavani over penalties and free-kicks during the win over Lyon last month reportedly had the Brazilian demanding that the club sell his team-mate. Silva and Marquinhos had to intervene before punches were thrown between the two men in the dressing room and Cavani was then supposedly offered a huge bonus to relinquish his penalty duties. Neymar eventually apologised for his childish behaviour but, when the next penalty was awarded, Neymar was anointed by Emery to take it.
His selfish, insolent attitude is affecting his performances. Despite the ferocious atmosphere and intense first half at the Vélodrome, he ambled through the game, continually stopping to put his foot on the ball and robbing attacks of momentum, repeatedly looking to beat the Marseille defence on his own. He only seemed half-interested, even as he equalised.
His indifference turned to petulance after Marseille took the lead for a second time in the 78th minute from a Florian Thauvin volley. After being involved in a number of minor spats and niggly fouls throughout the game, he picked up a late booking for a challenge on Morgan Sanson. A few minutes later he was tripped by Marseille winger Lucas Ocampos and reacted by squaring up to Ocampos. Ocampos, of course, greatly exaggerated any contact, but a second yellow was warranted and duly arrived. It was a foolhardy and selfish act that would have cost his team the game had Cavani not scored a terrific injury-time free-kick – an ironic coincidence considering Neymar was not on the pitch to pull rank.
Neymar’s individualistic nature is spreading, perhaps most worryingly to Mbappé. The 18-year-old also started the season in scintillating style but this consistency has evaporated in recent weeks; he is missing clear chances, trying to take on too many defenders and making poor decisions. This could be a nature product of his youth but, as Marquinhos noted, Neymar has a big influence on Mbappé. “Neymar knows how important he is for Kylian,” said Marquinhos. “As Messi was important for him and Ronaldinho was important for Messi.” It was an odd comparison to make considering Pep Guardiola famously let Ronaldinho leave Barcelona so he did not overly influence Messi with his playboy lifestyle.
Mbappé’s fluctuating form aside, the arrogance of new boys Neymar and Alves has perpetuated a feeling of disrespect: disrespect for Ligue 1, disrespect for le classique and even a disrespect for Paris Saint-Germain. They are still likely ease to the Ligue 1 title – Cavani’s superb free-kick was just the latest example of their individual quality – but their performance against Marseille shows their new signings’ arrogance could become toxic. Marseille were dogged, their manager Rudi GarcÃa was bold and they deserved at least a point.
After the game Mbappé admitted that his team “did not give le classique the importance it deserved.” Perhaps they will learn from this and their attitude will improve but, if Emery does not assert his authority, the arrogance of a few prominent players could destabilise what had, finally, promised to be a watershed season.
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