Problem For PSG?  (Sky Sports)

As well as mounting injury problems, PSG are struggling to get the best out of Edinson Cavani and Zlatan Ibrahimovic...

Paris may be the most romantic city in Europe, but reports suggest there is no love lost between Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani at the Parc des Princes.

The Paris Saint-Germain pair have been the subject of constant speculation over their relationship this season, with the Uruguayan fuelling talk of a feud by announcing of the Swede: "He's a good teammate, but we are not friends.”

The worry for Laurent Blanc ahead of PSG's Champions League clash against Chelsea is that the lack of camaraderie between his strikers could have a detrimental impact on maintaining the 'good teammates' side of the bargain.

There have already been examples of Ibrahimovic and Cavani refusing to pass to each other, with the former criticised for repeatedly refusing to spot his strike-partner in the 2-0 win over Marseille in November.

On that occasion, Ibrahimovic's stubbornness had no bearing on the result - but against Chelsea, when chances will be a precious commodity, it could be the difference between PSG progressing or falling short.

Jose Mourinho's side have proven themselves to be a well-oiled machine in which every player understands his distinct role and it will be essential for PSG to match that cooperation.

Blanc is hopeful. "Both need to improve, Ibra and Cavani, because they can play together. They have to look for each other more on the pitch," he said after the duo's perceived disagreement in the recent 1-0 win over Saint-Etienne. "I knew that the little discussion against Saint-Etienne between Ibra and Cavani would lead to questions. Everything is over, they are the best friends in the world.

"We can understand the way it works for them using the statistics. If you look at the last year for example, with Cavani playing on the right or left, they scored a lot of goals. No-one got any prejudice on the pitch because the other was there at the same time. I think that the way they play can be complementary."

Unfortunately for Blanc, the statistics in the current campaign fail to support his argument. In the 15 games Ibrahimovic and Cavani have both started for PSG, the team's win percentage stands at a meagre 47 per cent - compared to 70 per cent in the 20 matches in which one or neither has started.

In those 15 fixtures when Blanc has selected the pair in his first XI, there have only been two occasions when both have scored, hindering hopes that this could be the perfect partnership in the making.

It is not just as a duo that Ibrahimovic and Cavani are struggling either, with the pair scoring fewer goals combined (19) and providing fewer assists (one) than Lyon forward Alexandre Lacazette (21 goals, five assists) in Ligue 1.

Cavani should be particularly disappointed at failing to fulfil his obvious potential. After finding the net five times in nine matches during Ibrahimovic's injury absence between September and November, the Uruguayan has scored only five goals in his last 15 appearances.

"A footballer must be prepared to be welcomed when all is well and to receive criticism when things are not working out," Cavani told Le Parisien in October. "Of course, it is not easy nor pleasant to hear negative things about you. I take my responsibility and I do everything to resolve the situation. Whether these criticisms are fair or not, the only solution is to work."

There is another solution, however, which will increase in likelihood should Cavani and Ibrahimovic fail to fire PSG past Chelsea. According to L'Equipe, only one forward will remain at the club next season owing to their "clash of egos", with Ibrahimovic the favourite to keep his place.

Football is always a home to second chances, though, and should Cavani and Ibrahimovic finally click against their Premier League opponents, Blanc's hopes of building the team around his star strikers will greatly improve.

With as many as seven key players missing on Tuesday, the manager will need the duo to be at the peak of their powers - and demonstrating a vital willingness to cooperate.