Paris Saint-Germain has entered a new era in its history. And to carry out this reconstruction, Luis Enrique has a very clear idea of his future workforce.
The truths of summer are never those of a season. For the curtain raiser of this new 2023-24 fiscal year, PSG version Luis Enrique had conceded a frustrating goalless draw against Lorient. And if the leg of the Spanish technician is already visible (more than 1000 successful passes, an overwhelming possession against the Merlus), this first match could remain anecdotal, as the face of the team has evolved since then, as evidenced by the very successful victory against Lens for the first big test of the season in Ligue 1 (3-1).
Several important parameters allow Luis Enrique to have an offensive strike force capable of growing his positional game, starting with the reinstatement of Kylian Mbappé. The new Paris Saint-Germain coach has never made a secret of his desire to manage the club’s all-time top scorer, who he sees as the confusing element he lacked during his time on the team’s bench from Spain.
Mbappé changes everything
Primordial for his goal quota and his ability to attack the depth, Mbappé will not however be the only breaking player in the system of Luis Enrique. Ousmane Dembélé, his great friend, should be his alter ego on the right side, in a style of overflow winger more dribbler and passer. The two arrows would be called upon to support Gonçalo Ramos, who takes his marks in a role of center forward of fixation. But the offensive sector will also have other cartridges since Randal Kolo Muani is expected to bring competition to the three positions. Bradley Barcola could be a valuable and promising complementary striker, in an area where Marco Asensio and Lee Kang-in will also have playing time.
A missing piece in the middle
The South Korean also has the attributes to evolve a notch lower, in midfield. Luis Enrique and Luis Campos wanted to attract a creative midfielder, seen today as the missing piece of the puzzle, but that idea is no longer so obvious in the minds of Parisian decision-makers. The young Warren Zaire-Emery, but also Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz and the rookie Manuel Ugarte bring a certain homogeneity in terms of level and profiles. The Uruguayan has already scored points, as has the titi and the Portuguese, who is gaining momentum.
Double positions in defense and attack
In defense, Luis Enrique will not miss cartridges with doubled positions. Achraf Hakimi and Nordi Mukiele will share the right flank. Marquinhos, Milan Skriniar, Danilo, Presnel Kimpembe and Lucas Hernandez are all options for the centre-back, with the 2018 world champion also representing an alternative left-back position behind Nuno Mendes. Finally, Arno Tenas embodies the future behind a Gianluigi Donnarumma called to find his level.
The possible eleven-type of PSG this season after September 2 : Donnarumma – Hakimi, Marquinhos, Skriniar, L. Hernandez – Ugarte, Zaire-Emery, Vitinha – O. Dembélé, G. Ramos or Kolo Muani, Mbappé.
