Carlo Ancelotti’s recent criticism of the professionalism of French PSG players has sparked responses from former team members. Siaka Tiéné, the Ivorian international and former PSG defender, refutes Ancelotti’s claim that French players lack a winning mentality. Tiéné asserts that everyone, both French and foreign players, was committed to winning.
However, Tiéné does agree with Ancelotti on one point — the lifestyle habits of French players. He notes that some French players would arrive just thirty minutes before training and leave promptly after showering. Tiéné observed a notable difference when foreign recruits, including Thiago Motta and David Beckham, joined the team.
Mathieu Bodmer, a former Parisian midfielder, supports Ancelotti’s generalization to some extent. According to Bodmer, foreign players in training consistently aim to win and prioritize their fitness, arriving early and spending significant time on recovery.
Gilles Bourges, the former goalkeeper coach of PSG from 2010 to 2013, understands Ancelotti’s perspective but emphasizes that it is unfair to label French players as less professional. He refutes the notion that French players were not committed to their profession, emphasizing that professionalism varies individually.
