Talking tactics: 3 ways Mbappe fits in PSG's star-studded attack

Swank summer signing Kylian Mbappe is set to make his Paris Saint-Germain debut, but beyond Friday's trip to Metz, the capital club faces an enviable dilemma: where does the talented teen fit in a stacked attack?

With Mbappe and Neymar set to form a €400-million partnership, it's up to Unai Emery to decide where all the parts fit. Ahead of a return to Ligue 1 play against the Lorraine minnow, here's a look at three ways PSG's could line-up this season:

Wingers of wonderment: 4-3-3

At Monaco, Mbappe was typically played to the left of Radamel Falcao as part a two-man strike-force in Leonardo Jardim's preferred 4-4-2 formation. Emery tends to favour a 4-3-3 that both thrives in possession and best caters to the skill set of an impressive front-three.

Uruguayan goal poacher Edinson Cavani sticks with what he does best in a central slot, while Mbappe and Neymar can exploit reluctant full-backs with a compelling cocktail of speed and trickery. France boss Didier Deschamps did Emery a favour by starting Mbappe on the right side against Luxembourg, and the Bondy-born stud appeared suited to the offbeat role.

Mbappe in the middle: 4-3-3

Slight variation here as Emery sticks with his favourite formation, this time with Mbappe and Cavani swapping spots. Cavani last played on the wing while Zlatan Ibrahimovic was at the club, and while it doesn't necessarily cater to his goal-poaching ethos, it does provide opportunities to rotate in the likes of Angel Di Maria, Lucas Moura, and Julian Draxler.

The future is very much about the €400-million pairing, and with Cavani approaching his twilight years, Emery would be wise to plan ahead with Mbappe in the middle as the right-footer looks to replicate last season's 21-goal haul.

Authoritative attack: 4-2-3-1

Friday's trip to the Stade Saint-Symphorien to face Metz offers a glimpse of what can be expected from much of Ligue 1's mid-table to lower-half sides: Dynamism in attack, dreary at the back. Metz yielded a league-worst 72 goals last season, and with PSG set to control the majority of possession, Emery can sacrifice a defensive-oriented midfielder for added attack.

Thiago Motta is dropped, while Neymar slots in to a central position in support of the striker. The Brazilian was unplayable on his PSG debut against Guingamp with the brunt of his incisive runs coming through the middle. Loads of options here as Dani Alves could slide forward with Thomas Meunier taking right-back honours, or any one of the trio of Di Maria, Draxler, or Lucas could start on the right. Likely to hold the ball for the majority of the match, PSG will demand little defensively of Marco Verratti and Adrien Rabiot, with the latter more likely to track back if need be.