Monday, August 9, 2021 at 12:00• Dominic Mostert • Last update: 12:23

Paris Saint-Germain starts the new season with a chillingly strong team. After the expected arrival of Lionel Messi, Mauricio Pochettino can put together several dream teams. We have listed four options for the trainer, who opted for a 4-4-2 formation in the opening game of the new season against Troyes (1-2 win), but now has a dream vanguard of three men at his disposal.

Option One: 4-2-3-1

Pochettino can opt for a 4-2-3-1 formation with Kylian Mbappe as the only striker. He could play with Neymar, Messi and ngel Di María at his back, while Marco Verratti and Georginio Wijnaldum balance the midfield. If Neymar and Di María move in, Juan Bernat and Achraf Hakimi could go over it on the flanks.

Option Two: 3-4-3 (A and B)

Another possible variant is the 3-4-3 formation, with a vanguard consisting of Neymar, Mbappe and Messi. We have put together two 3-4-3 formations, which differ in three positions. In one variant, Bernat and Hakimi play as left and right half and Presnel Kimpembe is in the back right; in the other variant, Hakimi is positioned in the back and the flanks on the midriff are occupied for Leandro Paredes and Di María.

Option Three: 4-3-3

Finally, Pochettino can opt for a more conservative 4-3-3 formation, with Ander Herrera and Idrissa Gueye in midfield. This time Layvin Kurzawa has a place as left back, although Abdou Diallo played against Troyes in that position. With players like Thilo Kehrer (defense), Danilo (midfield) and Julian Draxler (midfield) behind them, it can be expected that Pochettino will rotate a lot in the new season.