PSG chief scout reveals how he stumbled across Odsonne Edouard

Paris Saint-Germain’s chief scout Pierre Reynaud has offered a fascinating insight into how he came across Odsonne Edouard as a youngster. 

Speaking to The Athletic, Reynaud revealed he was initially on his way to watch Lilas FC play in a match that Edouard was not involved in, before that game was cancelled due to snow.

The talent spotter then explains how he then attended a nearby match instead, involving Eddy, and was immediately struck by his ability. 

I saw there was another game on a neighbouring pitch. It was AF Bobigny, and there was a younger boy playing for them who I noticed straight away. 

I asked the coach about him, and he replied that his name was Odsonne Edouard. I thought, ‘OK, I think we’ll follow him.’ 

Reynaud continued by speaking of the instant impact the striker made upon his arrival at PSG two years on from the day he was spotted playing for AF Bobigny.

Very quickly he seduced everybody at the club. We proposed to him a long-term project, pretty much up to the age of 18, and that’s what we outlined to him. He was already very different to players of his age. He was excellent in front of goal. 

He didn’t tend to blast it; he placed it, side-footed it, and his reading of the game was excellent. He always looked to see where the goalkeeper was before shooting, his quality of finishing was rare for someone of that age and he was very two-footed. 

He adapted very quickly, he had a great relationship with his teammates. As he grew in confidence, he felt at ease but always retained humility.

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It’s always fascinating to hear of the first moment a player caught somebody’s eye and began their journey to professional football, and Eddy’s story is remarkable.

Would he be here had it not been for the heavy snowfall? Well maybe not at Celtic but one would imagine his talent would have eventually been spotted, given how good Reynaud says he was as a youngster. 

The Frenchman has continued to go from strength to strength at Celtic, and long may that continue.