Paris Saint-Germain started an exciting season with the signing of one of the best managers in the world. Luis Enrique arrived at the city of love with an optimistic approach. He guaranteed that his pupils would “have fun”, as the offensive style of play has been a staple throughout the career of the Asturian coach.
These statements took place during his presentation, on the 5th of July. A month later, the atmosphere at the French club has taken a complete turn. What once was excitement has now become a headache for ‘Lucho’.
With less than a week to go before the start of the season, Al-Khelaïfi’s team has more questions than certainties.
Neymar and Mbappé, on the way out:
When it comes to the departures department, PSG have lost two of their best players. Sergio Ramos and Lionel Messi have left the Parisian club after two seasons. A couple of campaigns more defined by the negatives than the by positives in which neither of the players have felt comfortable in the capital of France.
The real problem when it comes to players leaving is the one they have with the star of the team, Kylian Mbappé. The Parisian attacker decided earlier this summer that he would not renew his contract with PSG that expires in 2024. This has caused an earthquake in the Qatari institution, who have chose to put the striker up for sale in the case that he does not re-sign.
PSG’s president stated the following during Luis Enrique’s introduction: “The situation is very clear. If he wants to stay, we want him to stay, but we need to sign a new contract. We cannot let the best player in the world leave for free, that is not possible“.
After those statements, numerous chapters of this summers’ soap opera have taken place. Many teams showing interest, an alleged agreement between Mbappé and Real Madrid and, especially, the forward being sidelined from first team activities and placed with the ruled out players during preseason.
The latest on the ‘Mbappé Saga’ was published this morning by Le Parisien. The French outlet has stated that the international superstar will not be sold this summer, as he wants to fulfill the last year of his deal and is not willing to leave Paris. We will see how the situation develops, but Mbappé is risking being forced to sit out the entirety of the season.
Aside from Mbappé, Luis Enrique does not count on two other important players for the upcoming season. Their names are Marco Verratti and Neymar. The Italian, after ten seasons at the Parisian club, looks like he will follow the current trend and leave for Saudi Arabia. Neymar’s case is different.
The Brazilian has informed PSG’s front office that he would like to leave this summer. After arriving on the summer of 2017 in echange for a record breaking fee of 222 million euros, Neymar’s career in France can be summarized as him getting injured at the key stages of the season. The only two years in which he was available (2020 and 2021), PSG reached their peak performance in the Champions League: a finals appearance in 2021 and a semifinals exit in 2021.
Luis Enrique’s PSG:
Despite the important departures, the sporting director of the Parisian club, Luis Campos, has worked flat out in order to fulfill the Spanish manager’s requests. Nine signings to reinforce every line of the pitch.
In goal, PSG have signed one of the most promising keepers in Spanish football. After a brilliant U21s Euros, Arnau Tenas has arrived as a free agent out of Barça. He is expected to challenge Donnaruma for the starting spot as a result of his great footwork, one of Luis Enrique’s preferences for the position.
When it comes to their defense, PSG have acquired two solid players. Milan Skriniar reinforces the center of their defense, also as a free agent out of Inter. In addition, they have signed the 2018 World Cup champion, Lucas Hernández. The former Atlético and Bayern player arrives in exchange for a 45 million euros fee and will be an interesting option for the Asturian manager thanks to his polyvalence, which allows him to play as a centre-back or left-back.
They have strengthened their midfield with Uruguayan pivot Manuel Ugarte. PSG have reached an agreement worth 60 million. The 22 year old defensive midfielder is set to be critical to ‘Lucho’s’ system as a result of his great technical qualities and hustle. The last signing is Mallorca’s Kang In-Lee. The South-Korean displayed flashes of top-tier talent last season and could break out as an important piece in Paris.
The forward line has seen the most changes. After Messi left and with Mbappé and Neymar on their way out, PSG have browsed the market. Aside from the confirmed arrivals of Marco Asensio and Gonçalo Ramos, Ousmane Dembélé and Randal Kolo Muani could end up playing in Paris.
These signings have completely revolutionized the Parisian side. In the first matches of the preseason, the former Spanish national team’s manager has drawn up his classic 4-3-3 formation. In the case that Dembélé and Kolo Muani finally join the club and after the mentioned departures are confirmed, PSG’s ideal lineup could be the following:
Donnaruma; Achraf – Marquinhos – Skriniar – Lucas Hernández; Ugarte – Vitinha – Kang In-Lee; Dembélé – Gonçalo Ramos – Kolo Muani
Luis Enrique’s main task will be to fit all the pieces of his puzzle in order to get the most out of his team and contend for every trophy available this year.
Translated by Nuño Alonso.
Main image: @PSG_inside.
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