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Joey Barton has told Le Parisien that Zlatan Ibrahimovic could tip Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League tie with Chelsea in the French club's favour, but only if his ego does not get in the way. Injured during PSG's first-leg win over Chelsea in the quarterfinals last season, Ibrahimovic had to watch from the stands as the Premier League side went through to the last four on away goals thanks to a late strike from Demba Ba at Stamford Bridge. The Champions League has so far eluded the Sweden international in his career, and Barton believes the striker's ambitions of lifting the trophy this season may depend on his own mercurial talents. "Everything depends on which Ibra we're talking about. When he's annoyed, and he has something to prove, he's a different player," Barton said ahead of Tuesday's first leg. "He believes he is better or at least as good as [Cristiano] Ronaldo and [Lionel] Messi. But he isn't. But he is still a very good striker. He has won a lot of trophies during his career. On a good evening, he's capable of anything." Barton, who came up against Ibrahimovic during his season-long loan spell with Marseille in the 2012-13 campaign, went on to suggest the striker could be the root of PSG's problems this season. "Paris should be clear at the top of Ligue 1, but that's not the case," he said. "Ibrahimovic has, it's clear, a lot of weight within the club and everyone knows about his ego. He must be difficult to handle for a coach. Laurent Blanc is, I suppose, less influential with the owners than Ibra." PSG are third in Ligue 1, two points behind leaders Lyon, and missed out on going top of the table by throwing away a 2-0 lead in the final three minutes of Saturday's clash at home to Caen. The 90 minutes proved more costly still for Blanc, who lost Lucas Moura, Yohan Cabaye, Serge Aurier and Marquinhos to injury, leaving the PSG coach with limited options for the Chelsea tie. Barton believes Jose Mourinho's men will once again prove themselves superior to PSG, particularly with the French side struggling for form and the unity that swept them to the Ligue 1 title with a record points tally last season. "I get the impression that the dressing room is not always happy. To hope to knock out Chelsea, you need total unity and a perfect attitude," Barton said. "Chelsea play better as a team. Paris are more a sum of individuals rather than a real collective. "David Luiz could be a weak point. No-one knows him better than Mourinho. He'll be able to exploit his weaknesses. The lack of affinity between Ibra and Cavani is clear. I love the Uruguayan, but he clearly cannot stand being in the shadow of Zlatan. "Over the two games, with the tactical talent of Mourinho, which is superior to that of Blanc, and with the unity of Chelsea's squad as created by Mourinho, I vote Chelsea. "My opinion has been strengthened by Saturday. PSG lost four players. One of the keys for Paris, whose starting XI will still be of great quality, will be stopping Hazard. Then there's Ibra..."
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