Milan Škriniar, Lucas Hernandez, Lucas Beraldo, Willian Pacho… For two years, all have had the difficult task of stabilizing the Paris Saint-Germain defense, without success. Open since the free departure of Thiago Silva to Chelsea in the summer of 2020, the PSG rearguard project is no longer progressing, even if the latter undoubtedly forms the best pair of recent seasons, alongside the 'indestructible Marquinhos. Barely erected, this hierarchy could already be shattered in the coming weeks. The fault is the arrival in the group of a new central defender of choice: Presnel Kimpembe. A beautiful 29-year-old baby, solid on the man at 183 centimeters tall, with formidable power, called up for the first time in the Parisian group this season during this perilous trip to Munich.
A real Parisian Titi
Born in 1995 in Beaumont-sur-Oise, Kimpembe is more than a recruit of choice for PSG: he is a child from Île-de-France, considered before his physical problems as one of the best players in duel of the continent. His 28 selections for the French team attest to his consistency at the highest level, he who played a decisive role in the Blues' epic success at the 2018 World Cup, by taking on the central role of locker room ambiance. Equipped with an XXL speaker, the left-hander ensured the future world champions got together, even if he only took part in one match in this World Cup. Another clue to the pedigree of the new Parisian: his record as long as Victor Wembenyama's arm, with seven French championship titles, but also four French Cups and a Champions League final. All in just ten years in the pros.
At that moment, we question everything a little, and even if people see me as dead, I know that I will come back. Never in my life could I have thought of going a year and a half, or even two years without playing, and being so patient.
After only a month in training with PSG, it is therefore anything but surprising to already see Kimpembe join the group for a Champions League shock. Even though he has not played a single professional match since February 26, 2023, and a resounding victory in Marseille (3-0). Because slapping OM, the Parisian knows how to do, with 7 successes in 9 matches, for 1 draw and 1 defeat. Affected by a ruptured Achilles tendon during this umpteenth victory for him at the Vélodrome, the 2018 world champion has since been patient with his problem before returning to training. « I had a ruptured Achilles tendon, it's the worst injury, worse than the crusaders, the player recently told Canal+. At that moment, we question everything a little, and even if people see me as dead, I know that I will come back. Never in my life could I have thought of going a year and a half, or even two years without playing, and being so patient. »
Already like a fish in water
Supported by his coach Didier Deschamps, Kimpembe, who the Parc des Princes will soon discover, spent 21 months, or 639 days, away from the field. Obviously, Parisian supporters are entitled to wonder about the form of their new recruit. But the latter anticipated the debate, still at the Canal+ microphone: « I'm doing very well, I have a good feeling, I have resumed group training. I never thought about stopping. Today's Presnel is patient, not to mention football. I'm just waiting for the right moment. The right time. When I know it's the right time, you'll discover a new Presnel. » Determined, the central defender is not afraid to face competition from an XXL locker room: « In all teams, there are great players, competition, that's normal. It's not a problem. I started with the older ones. »
A skilled communicator, the man we imagine one day wearing the armband of his favorite club quickly declared his love for PSG, which he already seems to know better than anyone in the locker room: « Have you seen the city how beautiful it is? Obviously, it’s a love story, and I think it’s mutual. When you come from the Paris region, and you have the chance to play professionally in Paris… » Before driving the point home in an open letter published on the club's social networks, in which Luis Enrique's new cartridge evokes his childhood in the shadow of PSG: « I was born in Beaumont-sur-Oise in the Paris region, a year before the club won the Cup Winners' Cup, and three years before France lifted their first World Cup. I started playing football near my house, I watched PSG matches whenever I could. […] Obviously, this letter is not finished and this story is not just mine. » If it is just beginning, the story between Presnel Kimpembe and PSG will be beautiful, without a doubt.
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