Paris Saint-Germain have expressed early concern over Lucas Digne’s start to life back at the club, with manager Luis Enrique warning the summer signing that he must raise his performance levels.
Digne returned to Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona this summer for €10m, but his adaptation to Enrique’s approach has not yet gone smoothly. Although the French defender’s difficulty in adjusting to a new system can be understood at this stage of the season, the club is reportedly also questioning whether he has shown the right mentality.
According to French newspaper L’Equipe, Paris Saint-Germain expected a different attitude from the 31-year-old after bringing him back to the club.
“Paris expects a different spirit from him, a more rebellious spirit,” the newspaper reported.
Digne’s omission from the starting XI against Lille, despite the absence of Nuno Mendes, has been viewed as an early warning from Enrique to the former Barcelona player.
A Paris Saint-Germain source said: “He has to wake up. It is fine that he came here accepting the role of the second player, but he is not on holiday or semi-retired. We are not saying that this is the case, but we will not accept it. He has to fight and try to be better than Nuno because Nuno will not play every match. He has to struggle; that is also part of his adaptation.”
The club has also noted internally that Digne has not yet reached his peak physical condition, unlike some of the other players who represented their countries at the World Cup.
People close to the player insist that he is “extremely determined” and ready to fight for a place in the starting line-up. However, Digne is understood to recognise that he must improve quickly if he is to establish himself in Enrique’s side.
The situation comes as Paris Saint-Germain continue to deal with disappointing results from the beginning of the season. Digne’s failure to start against Lille, in particular, has increased scrutiny around a signing who was expected to provide competition for Mendes.
His position is not being described as irretrievable, and the club’s concerns remain focused on his current level of readiness and his approach rather than any final judgement on the transfer. But the message from Paris Saint-Germain is clear: Digne must show greater intensity, improve his fitness and compete directly with Mendes for regular involvement.
For now, those close to the defender maintain that he is prepared to respond. The coming matches will determine whether he can turn that determination into performances capable of changing Enrique’s view.
