Yohan Cabaye Must Leave PSG If He Wants to Rescue His International Career

For the first time since leaving Newcastle United for Paris Saint-Germain, Yohan Cabaye finds himself watching France’s international friendlies against Brazil and Denmark from the comfort of his own home. If the former Lille midfielder wants to win back his place in Didier Deschamps' squad, this summer could be time for him to call an end to his time in Paris.

Injury to Paul Pogba in last Wednesday night’s game between Juventus and Borussia Dortmund was not only a blow to Max Allegri’s side, but it would have given Deschamps a slight headache before announcing his squad for the friendly games against Brazil and Denmark.

For months, the merits of Cabaye’s place in the France squad had been questioned, but Deschamps continued to name him in his selection. With Pogba ruled out, it seemed certain that Deschamps wouldn’t go without two members of his World Cup midfield.

Unfortunately for Deschamps and Cabaye, the midfielder was forced off due to injury after only 13 minutes of a substitute appearance against Bordeaux at the Stade Chaban-Delmas.

At his squad announcement press conference, via Foot Mercato (in French), Deschamps was very diplomatic in saying that Cabaye's enforced absence, as well as that of Pogba, had allowed him to look at other options.

Monaco’s Geoffrey Kondogbia and Wolfsburg’s Josuha Guilavogui enter the squad in their absence, with more than a nod to the future of the midfield. It is unclear whether or not Deschamps would have picked Cabaye even if he was fit, since the 29-year-old has failed to make the grade at the Ligue 1 champions.

Cabaye’s performances for PSG have been poor since he joined in January 2014, and it would be fair to say that his position in the France team had been hanging by a thread for months.

With the 2016 European Championship in France only 15 months away, it is crucial for Cabaye to get back into a position where he is playing every week and can rediscover the confidence he had at Newcastle United and Lille.

Cabaye has a huge decision to make this summer: Stay at PSG and fade into the background, struggling to find the form that made him one of Europe’s most-wanted midfielders, or make a move and try to find a place in another top club and hope that it revives his career.

Because of his form in France, the bigger clubs might not be as interested as they once were, but the English clubs will remember how well he coped with the rigours of the Premier League.

Perhaps even a return to Newcastle United could interest the midfielder. He would likely be welcomed back with open arms and would give the side from the North East some vital experience and international quality.

The worst option for Cabaye would be to stay at PSG for another season. With the club looking to grow and grow, they are always going to look to improve the team. Every time a transfer window approaches, the name of Pogba is always heavily linked with a move to Paris.

PSG captain Thiago Silva revealed this week, according to Le Parisien (h/t Ian Holyman of ESPN FC), that his club are keeping their eye on the Juventus midfielder: "For France, for European football, he's a golden boy. His coach at Juventus [Massimiliano Allegri] says a lot of good things about him. He's a loss for the French. He's a player the whole of Europe is watching, notably PSG."

Even if PSG are not able to land Pogba’s signature, you can bet they have a list of alternatives, each one ready to steal more minutes from Cabaye’s future.

Spending a small amount of time on the pitch helps Deschamps justify his position in the squad, but the further down the pecking order he slips, the less likely he is to play at Euro 2016.