In the heart of the winter transfer window, Paris Saint-Germain is working on two very ambitious files: the potential recruitments of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Mohamed Salah. But what could a PSG look like with the two stars?
Paris Saint-Germain may well have started a new chapter in its history, moving away from rhinestones and sequins, but it could well retrace its steps. After the departures of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappé, PSG seems on the verge of backpedaling by positioning itself on the Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Mohamed Salah files. But what could a PSG look like with these two stars? Answer right here.
System: 4-3-3
If he is increasingly called into question and his long-term future at Paris Saint-Germain is not yet assured, Gianluigi Donnarumma embodies, for the moment, the strongest name to ensure the Parisian goal. The Italian goalkeeper has the experience and reputation to lead an XI where his errors in the aerial game could be made up for with a fiery attack.
Nuno Mendes announced on departure from Paris Saint-Germain, it is his name which seems most likely to occupy the left lane. Defensive executive of a PSG which will have moved a lot in recent years, Lucas Hernandez could bring his experience in a corridor where the climbs will be numerous and where his confidence in the one against one could be necessary.
Lucas Hernandez shifted into the corridor, it is Pacho who could hold the left axis of the Parisian defense. The Ecuador international from Eintracht Frankfurt has been one of PSG’s most successful recruitments in recent years and his power combined with his good reading of the aerial game could be necessary.
If his long-term future is, again, not completely clear, Marquinhos remains the captain of Paris Saint-Germain and should still be in the coming weeks. The Brazilian embodies the image of this new look PSG, where his responsibilities are numerous and his role is key.
If a departure has been mentioned in recent weeks, Achraf Hakimi seems well and truly set to last in the capital. The Moroccan international, a true executive of the club, brings the surplus in his corridor and stability to the Parisian rearguard. He is obviously a must-have in this potential Parisian XI.
In recent months, he has been one of the Parisian players who has shown the most personality. Regular, the Portuguese has taken the keys to the Parisian game thanks to his creativity, his enthusiasm and his unparalleled reading of the game. The former FC Porto player, in a more remote playmaker role than in that of a true recovery midfielder, is an executive in Luis Enrique’s system.
He only needed a few months to achieve unanimous support within the Ile-de-France midfield. Luis Enrique did everything to get him back during the last summer transfer window. And we understand why. Joao Neves is already valuable with PSG. Only 20 years old, he risks taking on more and more responsibilities in the months to come.
A pure product of the Parisian team, Warren Zaire-Emery has become important in the eyes of his coach. Already a French international, the midfielder is only 18 years old. Armored by PSG, with a contract until June 2029, the Parisian talent is not likely to lose his place in the midfield anytime soon.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was long in the sights of PSG last summer. And the rumor resurfaced a few months later. For 70 million euros, the Napoli winger could change scenery this winter and PSG is one of the contenders. Having become a reference in his position in Serie A, the 23-year-old would very quickly become a Luis Enrique executive if he arrived in the French capital.
If Paris Saint-Germain has the unfortunate tendency to evolve without a real number 9 under Luis Enrique, the Spanish coach seems to be retracing his steps lately. In question? The return from injury of Gonçalo Ramos, who brings PSG a real point of fixation and depth in his game. With two arrows on the wings, the Portuguese striker could enjoy himself, as a good surface player that he can also be.
He’s probably in the shape of his life. Sparkling since the start of the season and undisputed leader of a Liverpool which is panicking the counters in the Premier League, Mohamed Salah is however at the end of his contract this season. And the Egyptian striker has already announced his departure from the Reds at the end of the exercise. A boon for PSG, who are looking for a killer in front of goal and a real leader for their attack. Very far from the style of Ousmane Dembele, Mo Salah could bring a lot to the PSG attack, which we imagine much more clinical and above all devilishly effective.
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