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PSG 'CANNOT be a counter-attacking team' with Lionel Messi in the line-up, believes Nicolas Anelka... as he says Mauricio Pochettino is unable to 'base his whole team' around Kylian Mbappe

Including Lionel Messi in the line-up means Paris Saint-Germain are unable to be an elite counter-attacking side, according to Nicholas Anelka.

The former Arsenal and Chelsea striker has been less than impressed with Messi since he swapped Barcelona for Paris in the summer and his ire showed itself again on French television after a 2-1 defeat to Man City in the Champions League.

PSG started with their famed front three of Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe at the Etihad Stadium and Anelka feels boss Mauricio Pochettino has his hands tied in trying to mould a team in his counter-attacking image.