Owen Hargreaves has recently praised Luis Enrique as “the star of the team” following the triumphant journey of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) into the UEFA Champions League semi-finals. Hargreaves, who provided his insights on TNT Sports, asserted that the remarkable success that PSG has experienced in the tournament can largely be attributed to the significant influence of their head coach, Luis Enrique. He articulated the team’s resilience, stating that despite facing challenges and feeling cornered at times, PSG managed to hold their ground and find a way through the competition.
As Hargreaves elaborated, the evolution of the team dynamic under Enrique is apparent—where once there was an overreliance on world-class talents like Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappé, the current PSG squad exhibits a commendable collective character. Hargreaves emphasized that the emergence of this cohesive unit marks a pivotal shift in PSG’s approach, which is crucial for attaining success in crucial competitions. “This young team has transformed into a proper collective effort,” he noted, indicating that such a collective spirit is essential for advancing to the latter stages of significant tournaments and securing prestigious trophies.
Another respected sports analyst, Joe Cole, also commended Luis Enrique for steering PSG away from individualistic tendencies that had previously hampered the team’s prospects. Cole articulated his earlier concerns about the club’s decision to grant Kylian Mbappé excessive influence, particularly regarding player recruitment and other signings, including Messi. He pointed out that while PSG did claim a league title during that time, the team structure did not succeed as hoped. Reflecting on prior performances, Cole commented, “It was incredible to watch, but imagine being among the seven players tasked with defending while others stood idle—it is a recipe for failure in tournament play.”
Both pundits agree that a coherent strategy and unified effort are prerequisites for success in the Champions League, and the recent transformation within PSG highlights a positive shift in mentality. Alongside Luis Enrique’s leadership, there has been a concerted move toward collaboration among players rather than isolated stars carrying the burden. Cole remarked on the importance of every member of the squad being fully engaged, underscoring that collective effort is vital for competition success.
Cole expressed optimism for PSG, highlighting their current athletic prowess and overall strength as the season progresses. Unlike previous seasons, where the team may have lost momentum post-league victories, he believes this group appears formidable. “I haven’t seen them this strong at this point in the season, and I think they are on the right path,” Cole exclaimed. He pointed out that in prior campaigns, a lack of formidable opposition within their league may have hindered their ability to perform during the Champions League knockout stages when facing elite clubs such as Liverpool or Real Madrid.
In recognizing Luis Enrique’s competencies, Cole referred back to the foundations he laid with the Spanish national team that clinched the European Championship. He believes that Enrique’s arrival at PSG has been timely and beneficial, establishing critical groundwork for the club’s future achievements. The analysts agree that transforming the culture within PSG has brought renewed hope, and they are excited to witness how far this altered mindset can propel the team in the ongoing Champions League campaign.
As such, both Hargreaves and Cole convey a strong sense of confidence in PSG’s trajectory moving forward, highlighting Enrique’s strategic acumen and the collective efforts of the players, ultimately suggesting that significant silverware could be within reach for this rejuvenated Parisian side. Fans can catch all the action live on TNT Sports and discovery+.