Vitinha and Joao Neves are competing for a starting spot in Portugal's midfield under Jorge Jesus. The PSG teammates both started once in Portugal's first two matches.
Vitinha and João Neves are among the world's best midfielders. Although they are PSG teammates, they would likely compete for a place in the Portuguese national team.
The two Portuguese internationals play alongside Fabián Ruiz or Warren Zaïre-Emery as a third midfielder at the Parisian club.
Both players are also key members of the Portuguese national team. While they play together at PSG, they are expected to compete for a starting spot in the Seleção after Jorge Jesus's arrival.
Vitinha and Joao Neves Face Off for Portugal Spot After Jorge Jesus Arrival
According to L'Équipe, the Portuguese coach's system allows only one free-roaming central midfielder, a role the new Portuguese manager envisions for the two Parisians. In Portugal's first two matches under Jorge Jesus, both players started once, while Vitinha replaced João Neves last night in the 2-1 victory against Norway.
PSG's number 17 is playing a different role than the one Luis Enrique usually assigns him. Still central, but further up the pitch, as a second line of defense behind the pressing initiated by the two strikers.
Jorge Jesus wants to utilize a fixed midfielder in front of the back line. This was the case with Rúben Neves against Wales and then with Palhinha in Norway.
The Portugal coach doesn't seem ready to relinquish this stabilizing presence simply because he has two versatile midfielders, reports the sports daily.
"This isn't necessarily bad news for PSG, who will no longer see their three Portuguese players exhausted by international duty. But it remains to be seen: coaches generally adapt their principles to what they see in training. João Neves possesses both too much talent and too wide a range of skills for a coach not to utilize him."
The versatility of the Benfica-trained midfielder will be a key factor, concludes L'Équipe.
PSG to Face Manchester City and Barcelona Soon
After the international break, PSG will play six matches over the next 20 days, including Champions League clashes with Manchester City and Barcelona.
PSG desperately needed to head off to international duty on a high note. After a difficult start to the season, the Parisians won Le Classique in Marseille (2-1) and now sit sixth in Ligue 1 with eight points.
But after the international break, Luis Enrique and his players won't have any more time to drop points.
Here's PSG's October schedule:
- Le Mans - Ligue 1 (October 10, Parc des Princes)
- Manchester City - Champions League (October 14, Etihad Stadium)
- RC Strasbourg - Ligue 1 (October 17, La Meinau)
- FC Barcelona - Champions League (October 20, Parc des Princes)
- Olympique Lyonnais - Ligue 1 (October 25, Parc des Princes)
- Le Havre - Ligue 1 (October 30, Stade Océane)
