Football
Jonathan Johnson, PSG correspondent 6y

Marquinhos wants Adrien Rabiot to stay at PSG amid Barcelona links

PARIS -- Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos has stated his desire to see teammate Adrien Rabiot commit his future to the club amid links with Barcelona.

Both players went the full 90 as the French champions beat Angers 3-1 at Parc des Princes on Saturday to secure a third straight Championnat victory.

Speaking with Canal+ after the final whistle, Marquinhos praised Rabiot and recognised his value to the team.

"Adrien turned professional at the same time that I joined," said the Brazil international. "We spend a lot of time together.

"He is a friend of mine in the dressing room. We sit next to each other and have done [so] for five years -- this will be our sixth.

"Adrien is an important player on the pitch. He is also important to PSG as he represents the youth academy.

"If I could make a request, it would be that he stays because he is an important player. We need all of our important players."

Rabiot's fellow youth academy graduate Alphonse Areola made a return in goal at the expense of Gianluigi Buffon as coach Thomas Tuchel gives the French World Cup winner some game time, and the homegrown shot-stopper revealed his calm over contract talks with PSG.

"My contract is coming to an end [June 2019]," Areola said. "We have not yet agreed terms but that will come, it will come.

"The coach and I have spoken, and he has made me understand that he is really counting on me.

"It felt good to play again -- my last match was in late May. I wanted to get back on the pitch as nothing replaces competition.

"With Gianluigi, we have a friendly relationship -- he is like a big brother. It is a bonus to be able to work with him each day."

Edinson Cavani, making his first appearance since the World Cup last-16 win over Portugal this summer, scored one of PSG's three goals -- with Kylian Mbappe and Neymar getting the other two.

The Uruguay international was happy to be back in action and also with Les Parisiens' start to the season in his absence.

"I am very happy to have been back on the pitch today," said Cavani. "Scoring is always important -- it gives us strikers confidence.

"I am very happy to start like this and to see the team win a third consecutive game."

Tuchel was also pleased with the win but also recognised that there is a lot that he and his players can work on as their fitness levels and familiarity improve.

"We started well with the goal and created several chances," the German tactician said. "We gave away a few loose balls, which made it harder for us to defend.

"Angers deserved their goal, but our second half was better, particularly in terms of our intensity.

"There is still a lot to work on, but I am very happy with our start to the season in both Ligue 1 and the Trophee des Champions."

Next up for PSG are newly promoted Nimes away before the international break.

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