Zlatan Ibrahimovic is 'thick as two short planks' and needs 'a good slap'

Former France international Jean-Paul Bertrand-Demanes launches attack on the PSG striker

Simon Rice
Tuesday 28 April 2015 11:48 BST
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (GETTY IMAGES)

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic is as "thick as two short planks" and is holding PSG back, according to former France international Jean-Paul Bertrand-Demanes.

The Swedish striker has helped fire his club to back-to-back Ligue 1 titles since joining from AC Milan, however his failure to deliver in the Champions League and inability to play alongside a second striker have irked Bertrand-Demanes, who used to play in goal for Nantes.

"I don't like Ibrahimovic," Bertrand-Demanes told L'Equipe. "He is so big-headed. The problem is people make him think he's intelligent but he's as thick as two short planks.

"He's not a caricature but not far off; he's a flat-track bully. You can be big-headed when you're [Luis] Suarez or [Lionel] Messi and score goals against Bayern Munich or Real Madrid.

"I'm sorry but, if you only score a hat-trick against Nancy ... if PSG want to progress, they need to get rid of him. He is a problem for PSG.

"You can't ask him to accept playing up front alongside someone because he's too stupid."

After a rousing Champions League victory over Chelsea in which Ibrahimovic was sent off in the first-leg, PSG were knocked out in the next round by Barcelona. However they can still complete a domestic treble this term.

Bertrand-Demanes also expressed strong views on France international Florian Thauvin in the interview, criticising the midfielder for forcing through a move from Lille to Marseille last summer.

"[Ibrahimovic] is like Thauvin," he said. "They both need a good slap.

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