the nugget Neves, the policeman Pacho, the Safonov mystery… First assessment of the recruits from the last transfer window

“We had a very good transfer window”enjoyed Luis Enrique at the end of August. Saying “more than satisfied”the Spanish coach noted that the squad was “improved with one player per line”. The four players in question are Joao Neves (Benfica), Désiré Doué (Rennes), Willian Pacho (Frankfurt) and Matfey Safonov (Krasnodar). Excluding bonuses, PSG still swallowed €170 million in the last transfer window. This represents almost a quarter of Ligue 1's total spending! In Europe, five clubs spent more than Paris, including four English teams, Chelsea (€238.5 million), Brighton (231.2), Manchester United (214.5), Alético (185) and Aston Villa ( 176.2). Four recruits, just over 21 years old on average. Two of these players are among the four who have participated in 12 Paris-SG matches since the start of the season.

At the same time, Paris offloaded around twenty players, on loan (Soler, Moscardo, Mukiele…), released or at the end of their contract (Mbappé, Navas, Kurzawa…) and three direct transfers for just over €70 million (Ugarte, Ekitike, Danilo). PSG would also have liked to exfiltrate Milan Skriniar… in vain. If so, a player would most likely have been recruited to compensate for the departure of the Slovak. It would not be surprising to see him leave this winter. Ditto for Randal Kolo Muani. “This year, I was able to plan certain signings with Luis Campos and Nasser Al-Khelaïfi but certain recruitments had been done before”slips Luis Enrique. He was certainly thinking of these two players when he said that. To Manuel Ugarte too. Or even Gonçalo Ramos?

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We like this philosophy, to develop and develop young people and for that, they have to play in tense matches.

Luis Enrique

In the end, PSG became poorer offensively with the departure of Kylian Mbappé and became even younger. A trajectory in line with the club's new policy. Minimalist? This gives a chance to these boys like Senny Mayulu (18 years old), Yoram Zague (18 years old) and Ibrahim Mbaye (16 years old). “We like this philosophy, to help young people evolve and develop and for that, they have to play in high-pressure matches”Luis Enrique recently indicated, recalling that the club had chosen not to «surpayer» on the transfer market. “Signing the best young people is easier and cheaper than the best veterans”he swore again. All while regularly singing the praises of the four new ones, who are “in a good connection with the rest of the team”. First assessment of the four recruits, two months after the end of the transfer window and before a duel against Lens this Saturday (5 p.m.), at the Parc des Princes, during the tenth day of L1.

Neves, like a fish in water

Recruited for €70 million including bonuses, not counting Renato Sanches' loan to Benfica, Joao Neves did not take long to acclimatize. It must be said that the young (20 year old) Portuguese international (12 caps) can rely on a certain number of compatriots within the Parisian squad. For the rest, “he speaks the same language as the rest of the collective”as analyzed by Luis Fernandez in our pages. “The complementarity is good with his teammates. Neves has that technical touch while still having a strong impact. He has this aggressiveness, this velocity, this availability”added the former PSG coach. “I think he will become one of the best midfielders in the world”says Luis Castro, his former trainer at Benfica, also interviewed by Le Figaro. And the one who became coach of Dunkirk (L2) added: “He has just joined one of the best teams in Europe and he is already decisive, he is playing. In a short time it will be one of the most important environments in the world..

In the meantime, Neves has already established itself as a strong link in the Parisian community. He has participated in all 12 PSG matches since the start of the season, with six assists (best passer in L1) and even his first goal last Sunday in Marseille (3-0 victory). Beyond the statistics, the former Benfica man shines above all with his ability to win duels and scratch balls, while coming out well. A very “Luis Enrique compatible” player.

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The Safonov mystery

Why on earth did Parisian leaders go to Krasnodar to look for Matvey Safonov? A starter in the Russian team, the 25-year-old goalkeeper still cost €20 million. For a liner, it's expensive. And so far, there is no reason to think that he represents anything else in Luis Enrique's mind. He only played three matches, when Gigio Donnarumma had to withdraw. Three matches which did not allow us to form a definitive idea. Safonov is in any case not a very strong goalkeeper, very comfortable away from his goal and in the air. However, this is the type of player we would have imagined to integrate Luis Enrique's matrix. “He’s a goalkeeper who makes saves, who is sometimes even too spectacular in my opinion”explained the former Chelsea goalkeeping coach, Christophe Lollichon. So far, the arrival of the Russian doorman represents, at best, a mystery.

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Pacho, opportunity makes the thief

Faced with the absences of Lucas Hernandez and Presnel Kimpembe, PSG went all out on a central defender, Willian Pacho. Having passed through Belgium, the 23-year-old Ecuadorian international (20 caps, 2 goals) was coming off a good season in Frankfurt, where Paris has its entries. €40 million on the table. Luis Enrique was quick to lean on him. With success. Pacho is the most used player since the start of the season (12 matches, 1017 minutes). “Since the start of last season, I have often spoken about the difference between what I can tell you and the statistics, the actions. He is one of those who has played the most. We knew his signature was important. He adapted very quickly and it’s easy when you have confidence and playing time”deciphers Luis Enrique, who prefers him in particular to Lucas Beraldo. Recruited in January, the latter is having a hard time confirming his good start with the capital club this season…

And the 54-year-old Asturian technician added: “He brings things that we needed, winning duels, bringing out the ball, recovering the ball, efficient in his zone… It’s a contribution that we judge very positively since his first minute at the club”. A real policeman. At the start of 2025, when Hernandez is operational, who will pay the price, Pacho or Nuno Mendes? A nice headache in perspective for Luis Enrique, who asks for nothing better.

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Gifted, a little more patience

Courted by Bayern Munich, Désiré Doué finally said yes to Paris. €60 million bonus included to snatch the 19-year-old player from Rennes, his training club. “He will help us a lot”said Luis Enrique during his visit, describing “a versatile player” et “very complete”Who “can play on the sides and in the middle”. The boy's qualities are known, we appreciated them in the Rennes jersey last season. We're still waiting to see them with the Parisian tunic. With 358 minutes in total, Doué is one of the least used players in Paris this season. And when he got a start from the sky in the Champions League, at Arsenal (2-0), he did not take advantage of it. No question of talking about a flop. Just remember that the native of Angers still has plenty of time ahead of him to adapt and get comfortable in Paris. Patience.