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

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (GETTY IMAGES)

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.