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PSG boss Thomas Tuchel issues Neymar a challenge amid fans unrest
Neymar has been issued a challenge by boss Thomas Tuchel with PSG fans angry following player's transfer demands.
Neymar: Fans appear to throw rubbish at PSG striker
Paris Saint-Germain boss Thomas Tuchel has admitted he understands why fans are so angry with Neymar.
During the summer the 27-year-old made it clear to the Ligue 1 champions he wanted to leave but as talks dragged on his exit from the club could not be agreed.
Barcelona had been in negotiations with PSG but talks failed after they were unable to meet the French club’s valuation of their star player.
And while Tuchel understands why PSG fans are angry with Neymar’s actions he has told the Brazilian what he needs to do if he wants to win back their support.
It's not nice to hear one of your players say week after week that he wants out.
"It's not a simple situation," Tuchel told beIN.
"The fans express themselves and I totally understand it.
"They have the right to express themselves.
"They're proud of their club and it's not nice to hear one of your players say week after week that he wants out.
"I've told him that we need to face this reality.
"There's pressure for him to act well and to change opinions.”
Injuries have severely limited the amount of minutes Neymar has played for PSG but when he has been on the field the forward has shown how devastating in front of goal he can be.
So far Neymar has scored 55 goals and created 29 assists in 63 appearances in all competitions for PSG.
Neymar scores impressive overhead kick for PSG
While speculation continues over Neymar’s future at the club, Tuchel admitted it wasn’t his decision to keep the forward out of the starting line-up at the beginning of the season.
"The club's position was very clear, that Neymar wasn't to play until he said he would stay," Tuchel added.
"That helped me, as I could concentrate on the rest of the group.
"I didn't have to ask if he'd play or not because the decision was clear and came from upstairs."