For months, PSG has been running smoothly. No clash, no media tension. Since the little friction between Ousmane Dembélé and Luis Enrique at the start of last season, nothing. The Parisian locker room displays remarkable unity, driven by results and solid collective dynamics. But in top-level football, the apparent calm never lasts forever. There is always a player who eventually comes out of the woods. And this time, it's Matvey Safonov who has just broken the silence.
First tension at PSG: Safonov contests his understudy status
The Russian goalkeeper released a resounding public statement in the mixed zone during the selection's last rally. Frustrated by his status as understudy behind Lucas Chevalier, the former Krasnodar goalkeeper openly mentioned a possible departure during the winter transfer window.
“I am not happy with the lack of playing time. Naturally, I want to play and prove that I deserve to have playing time”he told Sport Express. An exit that goes badly internally.
Safonov thought his situation would change after the departure of Gianluigi Donnarumma to Manchester City this summer. Missed. The arrival of Lucas Chevalier from Lille reshuffled the cards, and it was the Frenchman who inherited the number one status. For the Russian, recruited for 20 million euros in the summer of 2024, the bill is heavy. Only 17 appearances last season, despite an XXL record: Ligue 1, Champions League, Coupe de France. But trophies do not make up for the lack of ground.
A delicate cohabitation with Zabarnyi
PSG even tried to sell him last summer to make way for Ilya Zabarnyi, a Ukrainian defender. A way to avoid sensitive cohabitation between a Russian and a Ukrainian in the current geopolitical context. But the club did not succeed. Result: Safonov stayed, and the situation got worse. In selection, he smiles again. Recently captain against Iran, he delivered a touching speech: “I am grateful to the national team for their confidence. Every minute of the match is important to me. »
Paris must now manage this thorny case. With an already full infirmary and a collective dynamic to preserve, the club would happily do without this kind of friction. Luis Enrique will have to decide: give Safonov more playing time, or let him leave this winter. The transfer window is approaching. And the Russian goalkeeper has already made it known that he is ready to consider any proposal.
