Pochettino: Mbappe and Neymar will be at PSG next season

Mauricio Pochettino is a worried man. He just knocked out the current European champions Bayern Munich out of the Champions League, but in Ligue 1, things are not so easy for his PSG. Six games until the end, his team of expensive stars is the second in the league, three points behind Lille an only one point ahead of Monaco. What’s even more worrying is that his best two players and international stars, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe could be sold this summer.

A new twist: Neymar won’t sign a new contract with PSG, wants to go to Barca

As both French and Spanish press are writing these days, Neymar has not yet signed his contract extension, as he mulls over a potential return to Barcelona, after he realized that Lionel Messi won’t come to Paris. On the other hand, Mbappe has been strongly linked with Real Madrid, and he is also slow in signing the new contract. Both players need to extend their stay in June, or to be sold, since their contracts are up in 2022. But, Pochettino is hopeful that both players will stay.

"The objective is to keep the best players. The club want to win the Champions League and the aim of this club is to keep Neymar and Kylian so that they stay for many years. I am equally optimistic with both. In three months, we have developed a very good relationship. Both players are very committed to the club. Any team would like to have them in their ranks. I am optimistic that they will stay" Pochettino told Cadena SER's El Larguero.

PSG are pressuring Mbappe, offering 30 million per year

Former Spurs player was then specifically asked about Mbappe, and his response was direct and expected.

"I think he's going to play at PSG next season. As long as he is at PSG, I would like him to be with me. I would fight with all my might for him to stay with us. After sharing a dressing room with Kylian for three months, I will fight with all my might for him to stay with us" said the Argentinian.

After defeating Bayern Munich, PSG will face another tough task: beating Pep Guardiola’s City on their way to another final. And Posch knows Guardiola good, from his time in Tottenham.

"I like facing Pep, because I consider him the best coach in the world, and when you want to improve you have to compete with the best. His goal is the Champions League. He is doing a great job in England. City have been able to reinvent themselves after Manuel Pellegrini and build a team in Guardiola's image and likeness. And Zinedine Zidane is on a par with Guardiola. They have proven to be the best and the results show it," Pochettino stated.