By Jonathan Johnson (@Jon_LeGossip)

Serge Aurier probably watched on in regret as Paris Saint-Germain beat Chelsea 2-1 at Parc des Princes on Tuesday night to take a one-goal lead into their UEFA Champions League last 16 second leg clash at Stamford Bridge next month.

Less than one week ago, the Ivory Coast international was almost certain to start the match against Guus Hiddink’s men.  However, following an ill-advised and impromptu Periscope session after last Saturday’s 0-0 draw at home to Lille OSC in Ligue 1, the 23-year-old may well have no future in Paris at all now.

The French champions have indefinitely suspended Aurier for criticising coach Laurent Blanc, as well a number of his teammates in the controversial video, and the former Toulouse man is expected to learn his official fate next Monday. PSG could sack the African and there are many supporters actually in favour of this action. However, considering the nature of modern football and the likelihood of a European rival picking him up as a bargain free transfer, that option has probably already been ruled out.

What is more likely is that Les Parisiens slap Aurier with a heavy fine and an internal ban from the senior side with an ultimate sale in mind. Reintegration into the squad is still a possibility too, but that depends heavily on Blanc and the group’s ability to take him back. For the moment, Aurier has been denied all contact with the squad so that his teammates were able to put the startling episode behind them for the visit of Chelsea. 

It will stay that way until early next week, at which point the RC Lens youth academy graduate should have a better idea of whether or not he still has a future in Rouge-et-Bleu. So far, PSG’s handling of the situation has been exemplary. President Nasser Al-Khelaifi has dealt with the player personally and made his feelings on the incident known publically, while coach Blanc was excellent in Monday’s pre-match press conference when quizzed about last weekend’s events.

“I will not be using the media to sort out a problem between Serge Aurier and myself," Le President announced to the media. "This is how he repays me. It is pathetic. He has punished himself and the club. He'll suffer the consequences.”

“How can I react?” the 50-year-old continued. “Very badly. In our country we can have our own opinions but, that guy, two years ago I committed myself to bring him to Paris. What I saw yesterday was all the thank-you I got.”

No more will be said on the matter until next week, but PSG have taken a strong stance thanks to Al-Khelaifi and Blanc’s statements. Although it must be tempting, especially for those mentioned by Aurier in his Periscope session, very little has been said on the matter by the players and that has given the French press little with which to stoke the already sizeable flames created by the incident.

With Chelsea now out of the way and the topic of Aurier relatively contained until at least next week, Blanc can now consider the best way to tackle the remainder of the season without the Ivorian. Gregory van der Wiel made his return in the 0-0 draw at home against Lille OSC after a recent lay-off following an appendix operation, so the Netherlands international is once again operational. 

In an ideal world, the 28-year-old would have been rested for Les Dogues so that he could feature against Chelsea, but Aurier’s outburst did not happen until after the LOSC stalemate. Throwing Van der Wiel in at the deep end against the Blues post-operation would also have been a major risk. The decision to deploy Marquinhos at right-back instead was a wise one from Blanc and the Brazil international enjoyed a sound display on that side against the English Premier League champions. 

It could be that Aurier’s loss is the South American’s gain as he could get the starting role he craves at full-back instead of in the middle between now and the end of the season. PSG ideally need two natural right-backs for their assaults across domestic and European fronts, but Marquinhos’ versatility makes him a solid, if unspectacular, alternative to the more attack-minded Van der Wiel. The Dutchman could now retake the starting role Aurier had pinched from him. 

Whatever PSG decide to do with Aurier, they have handled the matter impressively so far. Of course there is plenty to consider, not least the fact that their No. 19 is an extremely talented player and a world-class talent in the making, but the capital club’s image is also at stake over this incident. The runaway Ligue 1 leaders cannot afford to be seen as too soft on Aurier, especially as this is not the first time his social media exploits have landed him in hot water.

PSG must set a precedent with their decision over the African star’s future and considering the good state the club is in on and off the pitch at present, don’t bet against them dishing out an exemplary punishment.