Touche!
I concede your point - the narrative I've painted based on knee-jerk misremembered reaction is flawed... totally wrong.
And although not mentioned, neither Messi or Neymar were even in PSG's side when Enrique took charge... but in my zeal to rebut I didn't even verify when Messi and Neymar departed PSG versus Enrique's appointment as manager.
Were the departures of Messi and Neymar purely wages though? Or was it about results?
The Galactico approach didn't work and was costing a fortune and PSG dumped Messi and Neymar not at the manager level - but above.
Mbappe too is an interesting case - probably PSG would still have him in their side except that Mbappe demanded a move to RM.
On his way out, Enrique pleaded with Mbappe to contribute more off the ball - it's on video - to no avail - Mbappe remained his usual selfish lazy self.
Nonetheless - the point I failed to make remains - Enrique has had his say so in signings and has built the side as he wanted - and his recent success means that whatever Enrique wants is going to have huge sway.
IMO Enrique would not want Haaland instead of Dembele - which was the main point I tried to make - with failed logic - three sheets to the wind on alcohol, LOL.
Yeah - that’s definitely a better characterisation of what happened to all four ‘Galacticos’ - the decision was made above Manager level, and wasn’t about suitability for a specific playing style, but about overhauling the entire football operation at the Club.
Absolutely the right approach too - and they recruited a Manager who fully buys into the new model, and is a perfect fit for them.
Sporting Director and Manager both united in one direction - which is how it’s supposed to be.
Much like we had with Txiki and Pep.
Campos recruited Enrique for a reason.
To your point though - Campos was Sporting Director at PSG in summer 2022 when Haaland was leaving Dortmund, when it is documented (and confirmed by Haaland) that the Club tried to sign him.
He chose City that summer, obviously - but given the alignment of Enrique and Campos, I very much doubt they would have ditched the player after just a year or two when Enrique joined the following summer.
Enrique shares a lot with Pep - and (like Pep) would I’m sure have found a way of making it work with Erling up top.
But you’re absolutely right that Dembele is an exceptional fit for their style right now.
Campos clearly wanted Haaland though, and he’s the one who buys the players.
And we’ve all posted three sheets to the wind before mate. You were definitely making a lot more sense than I ever did after a night on the wallop!
