Mika Godts fails at Paris Saint-Germain before Manchester City
After a brilliant international window with Belgium – four matches, three starts and one goal – Mika Godts hoped to ride that momentum to establish himself in the colours of Paris Saint-Germain, but he delivered a performance that was widely criticised in his first start of the season.
The 21‑year‑old was in the starting eleven for the first time this campaign against the promoted Manche side, but he missed a golden chance, leaving doubt hanging just days before a perilous trip to Manchester City’s pitch in the Champions League.
Harsh scores from the French press
L'Équipe gave Godts a rating of 4/10, reminding that he must “quickly adapt to the physical demands of Ligue 1” and toughen up in one‑on‑one duels. Le Parisien was even harsher, awarding him 3/10, criticising “an inability to get the better of his opponent, muddled choices and far too many balls lost (16)”.
Le Figaro described the performance as “frankly disappointing”, while stressing that one should not “burial the Belgian international”, whose technical potential remains unquestionable.
Adaptation and prospects
Substituted in the 70th minute for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who scored the next goal, Godts illustrated the inherent difficulties of any transition to a league as demanding.
In Belgium, the media described this first start as “mixed”, recalling the trajectory of players such as Désiré Doué, patient before exploding in Paris, and urging to put this missed debut into perspective.
The Paris club will need to quickly rely on the full measure of its young talents, including Godts, to face the imminent European fixtures.