PSG: Tuchel talks up Pepe link
Lille's coach thinks Nicolas Pepe could comfortably adapt to Paris Saint-Germain and Thomas Tuchel agrees.
Thomas Tuchel revealed himself as a fan of "good player" Nicolas Pepe after Lille coach Christophe Galtier highlighted the forward as a good fit for Paris Saint-Germain.
Striker Pepe attracting interest after fine season with Lille
The Ivory Coast international has scored 18 Ligue 1 goals for Lille this season to reportedly catch Bayern Munich's attention.
He netted against PSG in a 2-1 defeat in November and could be a key figure when the teams meet again in a top-of-the-table clash on Sunday.
Second-placed Lille must win to further delay the reigning champions' title party and, speaking to Le Parisien ahead of the encounter, Lille boss Galtier admitted 23-year-old Pepe would be "more than useful" on the other side.
"Pepe has a lot of quality with his speed and strength"
Tuchel joked he would like that to happen as soon as this weekend. "Yes, he can play for us tomorrow," the German laughed in his media conference on Saturday. "He can play with us for 70 minutes and then [Ángel] Di María can come on!
"Pepe has a lot of quality with his speed and strength. He's determined around goal and always dangerous. I don't know his character and personality, but he's a good player."
PSG will again be without Neymar and Edinson Cavani for the trip to Stade Pierre-Mauroy as the star attackers are afforded more time to find full fitness.
Di María, Thilo Kehrer and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who produced a comical miss in last weekend's draw against Strasbourg, will all be assessed closer to kick-off.