Zlatan is having a little more trouble this year scoring goals than he did last year.
As much as we hate to admit it, the great Swede may be getting old. At 33 years of age, it’s understandable that a decline could be coming.
But, according to Paris Saint-Germain manager Laurent Blanc, that’s only part of the equation, and Zlatan will turn a corner this season, we just have to give him more time.
“Yes, he is definitely less comfortable than last year,” Blanc said following a 4-2 victory over Evian this morning, in which Zlatan did not score for the third straight match. “But he may have had the best year of his career [last season]. We need help to regain that level. We still have time, do not be discouraged. It should work, but it’s going to be difficult.”
Ibrahimovic struggled with a foot injury earlier in the season that has limited him to just 12 appearances so far this year, but since returning to the starting lineup November 25, Ibra has gone the full 90 minutes in every game but one.
However, he’s only scored three goals since returning, with two coming in one game, a span of seven matches and 565 minutes of time on the field.
“You only see the games,” Blanc told the media, “but in training it is clear progress, he works a lot. He’s not a 25 years old kid anymore. He’s at an age where he needs time to recover. With lots of matches close together, it gets complicated. If he stays healthy, I think we can really expect the best from Zlatan in the coming weeks.”
Last year, Ibrahimovic scored 41 goals in 46 games across all competitions for PSG, a whopping total for a 32-year-old, but nothing new for Zlatan. This year, with just eight in 12, he’s clearly not the same, but according to Blanc, we may see the old Zlatan soon. If you ask the player, he’ll probably just tell you “it’s me, Zlatan.” Obviously.