Paris Saint-Germain’s squad has seen a massive transformation in two seasons, including the departure of its biggest stars. The summer transfer window was less eventful than the overhaul that began Luis Enrique’s tenure in 2023. But it was equally impactful with the departure of their all-time leading goalscorer – Kylian Mbappe.
Mbappe’s departure sparked questions about the club’s compatibility, especially with its failure to replace him by signing another high-profile player like they always did. This question has since died down due to the Parisian’s impressive unbeaten record to the start of the League 1 season.
Mbappe’s absence was notable due to his goal-scoring form for the French side. He netted 256 goals for the Parisians, beating Edinson Cavani’s record to become the club’s highest goal scorer. Last season, he netted 44 goals across all competitions for PSG despite starting from the bench in most games due to a contract renewal fall-out with the club. The team relied on him for most of the League 1 campaign, and he scored 7 of their first 10 goals last season.
PSG appears to have moved past their dependency on Frenchman in the new season with a perfect record in five League 1 games, averaging four goals per game before hitting a brick wall when they shared points away to Reims at Gameweek six. Les Blues fielded their youngest-ever professional side in the season’s 4-1 victory to Le Havre, with an average player age of 22 years and 192 days.
Bradley Barcola stands in Mbappe’s place and has been impressive for the French side so far this season. He leads the team scoring with his six goals to his name. Ousmane Dembele matched his entire league performance from last season and now has four goals for the club this season. However, he has to reconcile his way into Enrique’s good books after being dropped in their last game for disciplinary reasons.
PSG suffered their first defeat this season in a 2-0 UCL game to Arsenal on Tuesday night at Emirates Stadium, highlighting their struggle to find the back of the net against big teams. An issue that has already shown itself in their first UCL game against Girona.
Football experts like Thierry Henry have pointed out that PSG is missing a player like Kylian Mbappé, whose absence has left a noticeable gap in the team’s ability to break through in crucial moments, which could cost them their highly valued challenge for the Champions League this season. Henry emphasized that the team lacks the type of game-changing player that Mbappé once provided. Speaking to CBS Sports, the former Arsenal and Barcelona striker said:
“Yes, the team is balanced, they had possession, but that’s about it. And it’s not enough. You no longer have that ‘game-winner’ you used to have. You can see that there’s a plan, that the players know what to do. But when they get close to the box, apart from Barcola who tried some things, we didn’t see much.”
Henry’s comments underline PSG’s attacking challenges, suggesting that while Luis Enrique’s team may have structure and control, they still lack the decisive quality needed in the final third. The team’s shift toward younger and more sustainable players is reflected in their recruitment strategy, but with experience missing upfront, the club will be looking to recruit possible options to bring back the spark of class and experience they have lost with the departure of Kylian Mbappe in the January transfer window. The Club is reportedly plotting an offer for Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.
Four Senior PSG Players Selected for France International Duty
Ahead of the upcoming International break and UEFA Nations League games, individual European nations have started dropping their list of representatives to return to the nation’s camping site after this weekend’s League fixtures for two games with their country.
The French National team is included, as they prepare to reclaim their dominance in Europe with the UEFA Nations League title. They remain one of only three winners (Portugal and Spain) to have tasted victory in the competition and are vying to make it two wins ahead of the knock-outs next season. France is currently in second place after a 3-1 defeat to first-placed Italy and a 2-0 victory over Belgium in Group A2 of the competition. They will face war-imposed Israel on Thursday, 10th October 2024 at the Bozsik Aréna, Budapest for Matchday 3. For Matchday 4, France will play Belgium on Monday, 14th October 2024 at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels.
Paris Saint-Germain players Warren Zaïre-Emery, Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembélé, and Randal Kolo Muani have been selected by France head coach Didier Deschamps for the nation’s upcoming UEFA Nations League group stage matches.
The unusual squad was missing popular names, such as former PSG winger Kylian Mbappe, who currently struggles with a thigh injury with Real Madrid. Deschamps noted; “He has a problem that is not serious, but needs care to recover well. I am not here to take risks.” Other names like Antoine Griezmann who has called time to his impressive International career are not included on the list. N’Golo Kante will also be absent due to injury.
Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku returns to the national team after an incredible 7 goals in 10 matches for the Blues this season while not a regular starter in the Premier League. Other notable call-ups include Bayern Munich’s Micheal Olise (who starred in Thierry Henry’s silver-winning Olympic team), Chelsea’s Fofana, and Arsenal’s Saliba.
Upcoming Fixtures for PSG!
Paris Saint-Germain faces a challenging lineup of fixtures in the coming weeks. Each fixture presents its own obstacles, as it juggles to maintain its domestic dominance and seek a first victory at the European competition.
On Sunday, 6th October, Nice welcomes the defending French champions in Gameweek 7. PSG’s visit to Nice will be without walking in the park. They have been one of PSG’s toughest domestic opponents in the past decade, and playing at their home Stadium of Allianz Riviera makes it even more tricky for Luis Enrique’s side. Both sides played at European competitions this weekend and had an average time preparing for the game. PSG has won the last 5 encounters, but Nice’s well-organized defense will force PSG to break down their defensive line, a task made harder by the departure of Kylian Mbappe. The French champions will look to Barcola and Dembele (if he returns) to make these vital breaks and create spaces and goal-scoring opportunities for the team, the game kicks off at exactly 19:45.
PSG then hosts Strasbourg at the Parc des Princes on Saturday, 19th October, at 20:00. Strasbourg has the potential to upset the defending champions if not taken as a priority. The French side has lost only one game in their last six, holding three games to a draw and outclassing their opponents to a win in two. Coming off international duty, PSG’s squad might face issues with fatigue, and the Parisians cannot afford to be complacent. Luis Enrique is tasked with making the balance within the team to take on the French side while having his upcoming Europen game in mind. The team must be focused on winning their challenging opponents.
In the midweek. PSG will clean up nicely to welcome PSV Eindhoven for their third game in the newly formatted League phase of the Champions League. Luis Enrique’s team looks forward to bouncing back from their defeat at the Emirates stadium by clinching all three points in this encounter, but it would not be so easy as the Dutch champions are well known for their aggressive pressing and goal-scoring flair. PSV Eindhoven has only a point in two UCL games and would be playing to change their fortune in the competition. With Champions League knockout stages at stake, this game will be a battle worthy for spectators worldwide.
The French Champions return to France to take on their most heated opponent – Marseille, at home on Sunday, 27th October. PSG dominated the iconic Le Classique for the last two decades and every new chapter opens an opportunity to renew their historic rivalry. It would be one of PSG’s toughest games in the first half of the season. Marseille’s physicality and intense pressing game will push PSG to their limits. PSG has the better talent and quality to secure all three points on home turf to continue their dominance in the rivalry and head closer towards another Ligue 1 title.
On Saturday 2nd November, PSG welcomes RC Lens in another heated League 1 game. Like PSG and second-placed Monaco, RC Lens is the only team not to have lost a League 1 game this season. Sitting in sixth place, they have managed to hold on to 4 draws and win 2 games since the start of the 2024/25 League 1 season. They are one of the rising teams in French football, and their discipline and ability to score crucial goals are remarkable. To come out of this game flying high, PSG must be wary of any mistakes at the midfield and defense. Their attacking should be on point to punish a team that has already shown they can trouble the league’s biggest clubs this season. Kich-off will be at 16:00.
PSG plays Game 4 at the UCL vs. Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, 6th November. Diego Simeone’s team is well known for their defensive solidity and mental toughness in the competition, but while playing away from home, the story remains different for the Spanish side. Both clubs are blessed with rich talent and getting past each other will be a tough nut to crack. PSG must find a way to break down one of Europe’s best defenses and stay vigilant against Atletico’s lethal counter-attacks. It will be a tactical battle between both teams and a great spectacle for fans watching from around the globe.
Get Fast-selling PSG Tickets
Mark your calendar for upcoming PSG games and get available PSG tickets that are currently in high demand. Secure the best spot in the stadiums for the perfect view and an unforgettable experience. Secondary marketplaces remain your best spot to get coveted tickets to games. Les Blues had an impressive start to the 2023/24 League 1 season, but a rocky one at the newly formatted Champions League. Fans and well-wishers hope the French champions reclaim their footing and keep up the winning energy when they travel to Nice on the weekend. The hope of winning their very first Champions League lags even further as Luis Enrique’s team keeps dropping points in the UCL League phase.
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