Kylian Mbappe has revealed his regret that any chemistry between himself, Neymar and Lionel Messi is only starting to show so late in the Ligue 1 season.
In their last two league games alone, Paris Saint-Germain's trio of attacking superstars have managed 11 goals and eight assists between them as they finally appear to have caught fire together. Mauricio Pochettino's side look set to cruise to another league title, which will offer some kind of consolation for their dismal showing on the European stage this season.
Pressed for comment on what the on-pitch chemistry between the three of them is like, Mbappe told Canal+: "Yes, it’s a shame it’s only happening now, but then there were a fair amount of circumstances and events that meant we were delayed. But we feel that we’re three quality players, and we trying to help the team as much as possible and that’s what happened today.
"That’s life, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, you have to keep looking forward. It’s in the past now. We had some pain, which is still present but you need to keep positive, we have to show that we’re a big club and a big team and that we’re here to win trophies."
Pochettino also discussed the relationship between his star-men in the wake of his side's 6-1 win over Clermont in which Mbappe and Neymar both registered hat-tricks while Messi bagged a hat-trick of assists. "The problem is that a lot of people don’t listen," explained the Argentine.
Since the start of the season we’ve been saying it takes time to create natural instincts, not only this chemistry on the pitch but also in the changing room. The circumstances are well known, the season started after the Euros and the Copa America, and then every month our players were out for a fortnight. We missed them in the decisive moments of the season."
HAVE YOUR SAY! Why has it taken so long for Messi, Mbappe and Neymar to 'click' as a trio? Comment below
Mbappe's teammate Neymar echoed the sentiments of his fellow forward by admitting it is a source of regret the relationship has only blossomed towards the tail-end of the campaign. "First of all I’m very happy to have won tonight," explained the Brazilian. "I’m also happy to have scored three goals. We’re getting better and better.
"All three of us are at 100% but only at the end of the season. It’s a shame for us but we’re going to go and get what’s left for us in the league." It may be a case of too little too late for the trio so many Parisians had high hopes for.
Mbappe is seemingly Real Madrid-bound in the summer after coming so close to joining Los Blancos last year, while Neymar has made little secret of his desire to leave PSG before and could find himself the subject of speculation once again. Messi has been at the club less than a year, but reports are already rife he is also desperate to call time on his Paris stay.
