The winter transfer window arrives at a pivotal moment for Paris SG, focused on its two key matches in January in the Champions League, which should lead it to be cautious, even if it could decide the fate of Randal Kolo Muani.
He would have preferred to do without it, but “Kolo” could indeed be one of the movers and shakers of the transfer market at European level. The matter risks being tinged with bitterness on both sides. Because the arrival on the line of the French international, from Frankfurt in the summer of 2023, for a substantial sum of 90 million euros, had raised hopes and questions.
The former Nantais player then enjoyed a budding notoriety with his performances in Germany and his remarkable appearances from the bench during the 2022 World Cup with France.
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi wanted to form a 100% French team attack with Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé and… he was disappointed. In 56 matches in all competitions, “RKM” scored 11 goals and made seven assists.
And above all, his coach Luis Enrique, who arrived at the same time as him but had carte blanche to build his team, never stuck to his profile as a counter-attack puncher.
Initially decided to hang on, the native of Bondy saw his playing time decline in the second part of last season, until an almost total erasure this season (450 short minutes played, the equivalent of only five matches). He was not even called up for the matches against Lyon and Monaco. “Anyone who doesn’t understand is not my problem,” Luis Enrique said dryly.
However, the player's rating remains interesting among several recruiters and the number of rumors which already concern him indicate that he will be one of the soap operas of the winter.
No unnecessary fuss
Slovak defender Milan Skriniar is also potentially affected by a departure, again with an incompatibility with the offensive and technical play of Luis Enrique. It remains to be seen how many clubs will be in the running for the ex-Interist.
These potential departures would almost eclipse the possible arrivals. And yet there is material since PSG, sovereign in Ligue 1, does not convince in the Champions League.
He absolutely must succeed in his last two League phase matches in C1, on January 22 and 29 against Manchester City and Stuttgart, to get out of his 25th place synonymous with unprecedented elimination under the Qatari flag.
This deadline focuses all attention within the club, which should avoid unnecessary agitation to preserve the group. Especially since potential recruits would not be able to participate in these matches under UEFA regulations, which allow new registrations for the C1 from February only.
“Utopian”
But it's an accepted situation: PSG does indeed have gaps and the desire to eventually fill them. “I would like to have two players at each position who are starters, and for there to be real competition,” Luis Enrique said. “I have that with the three goalkeepers. With the outfield players, sometimes we lose players. For me, the basis, to grow as a team, is above all this idea that the players do not know how to They're going to play or not.” Even if, he admitted in a formula that could sum up the Parisian winter transfer window, “it’s a bit utopian”.
PSG is, like all clubs, on the lookout for opportunities. If the defense is far from impeccable, it is the attack which has focused the criticism of observers according to the countless failures in front of the goals of Atlético Madrid (2-1 defeat), PSV Eindhoven (1-1 ) or even Girona (a narrow 1-0 victory).
The question of recruitment to bring more competition to Ousmane Dembélé or Bradley Barcola was clearly topical in the fall.
But the return from injury of Gonçalo Ramos a month ago brought renewed efficiency to the front, the training number 9 having already scored four goals. The young Désiré Doué also sparkled after several sluggish months. Two elements which could encourage sports advisor Luis Campos and Luis Enrique, who are thinking together about the transfer window, to procrastinate until the summer.
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