Luis Enrique Envisions Versatile Role for PSG's Nuno Mendes
Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has expressed his desire to utilize defender Nuno Mendes in a radically versatile role, suggesting the Portuguese international could feature anywhere on the pitch. The comments came during a press conference where the Spanish coach discussed squad management following the international break and the postponed Ligue 1 fixture against Lens.
When asked about his ideal squad construction, Luis Enrique outlined an unconventional vision. "I would like to have players who can play everywhere. Nuno Mendes as a full-back, Nuno Mendes as a winger, Nuno Mendes as a number nine," he said, according to beIN SPORTS. "It would be a dream to have 20 players who can play in all positions. Imagine the opponent when they see the starting eleven with players who can play everywhere…"
The 22-year-old Mendes, who joined PSG permanently from Sporting CP in 2022 for a reported fee of €38 million, is predominantly known as an attacking left-back. His pace, technical ability, and capacity to overlap have made him a key component of PSG's flank play since his arrival. While he has occasionally been deployed further forward in his youth career, the suggestion of using him as a central striker marks a significant departure from his established role.
Luis Enrique's musings come amid a period of fixture congestion for PSG, who remain active in the latter stages of the Champions League. The manager indicated satisfaction with the recent postponement of the Lens match, originally scheduled for April, which eases the immediate calendar pressure. His philosophical approach to such decisions was clear, as he stated that one must "accept what has been decided" regarding scheduling, a point that drew attention from the Lens perspective.
This is not the first time Luis Enrique has championed positional fluidity; his tactical systems at Barcelona and the Spanish national team often relied on players with adaptable skill sets. Applying this philosophy to Mendes could be an experiment to maximize the squad's options during a critical run-in. For Mendes, expanding his positional repertoire could enhance his value to the team and his own development, though a permanent shift from defense seems unlikely.
The immediate implication is likely increased tactical flexibility for PSG in big matches, with Mendes potentially being asked to fill different roles situationally. His primary duty will remain shoring up the left side of defense, but his manager's public thought experiment signals a desire for unpredictability as the season reaches its climax.
