Mansion Sports – Paris Saint-Germain are beginning to feel the impact of Bradley Barcola's major departure this summer, but not in the way many people expected.

While the French champions pocketed a staggering €145 million transfer fee, the winger's departure has coincided with a dramatic decline in Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's performances.

Dealing with Barcola's Major Departure

Barcola left the French capital this summer after completing a major €145 million transfer to Liverpool.

PSG quickly anticipated the move by signing highly rated young prospect Mika Godts to strengthen the left side of their attack.

However, the transition has proven far more complicated than expected for the reigning European champions.

The significant impact of Barcola's departure to Anfield is now being felt across various areas of the pitch, but according to Football365, one player has been affected the most: Kvaratskhelia.

Kvaratskhelia's Dramatic Decline in Form

The statistics show a striking difference compared to last season. Kvaratskhelia was phenomenal last season, scoring eight goals in Ligue 1 and adding 10 goals during their spectacular run in European competition.

However, the start of the 2026-27 season has been a very different story for the Georgian international.

In his first five league appearances, totaling around 280 minutes of playing time, Kvaratskhelia has failed to score and has registered just one assist.

More concerningly, head coach Luis Enrique has not hesitated to end his appearances early.

The winger was substituted after 65 minutes against Brest and replaced after just 58 minutes during Le Classique against Marseille.

Losing His Main Internal Rival

This slow start to the season highlights Kvaratskhelia's historical tendency to fluctuate depending on the magnitude of the matches.

More importantly, this decline in form has coincided with a major change in the PSG dressing room. Last season, under Enrique's strict principles of internal competition, Kvaratskhelia and Barcola competed fiercely for the left-wing position.

Whenever Barcola played, his relentless movement behind the opposition's defensive line forced Kvaratskhelia to maintain maximum intensity to retain his place in the starting XI.

Now, 21-year-old Godts has arrived from Ajax, but the Belgian has yet to possess the elite status and sufficient experience to directly threaten Kvaratskhelia's position in major matches.

Having never started a league match, Godts has yet to provide the push needed to drive the Georgian forward.

Enrique's Search for New Solutions

Barcola's departure is not the only factor, as competition has not completely disappeared at the Parc des Princes.

The rapid development of Desire Doue, Ferran Torres occasionally playing out wide, and the arrival of Maghnes Akliouche give Enrique plenty of options for rotating his attacking line.

However, none of these players has exactly the same profile as an extremely fast left winger capable of creating fierce competition for a specific position in the way Barcola did.

If the international break gives Godts an opportunity to improve his performances, or if Enrique discovers a new tactical solution, Kvaratskhelia could eventually rediscover his deadly sharpness.