Nobody needs that many keepers: The goalkeeping madness of Paris St. Germain


Nobody needs that many keepers
The goalkeeper madness of Paris St. Germain

Paris St. Germain is currently particularly noticeable because of its numerous purchases in the top market for football superstars. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma is one of the newcomers to the French team. The Parisians actually have no need at all for his position. On the contrary.

Paris St. Germain has a problem. Or treat yourself to an absurd luxury. You can see it how you want. But there should be broad agreement that eight (!) Goalkeepers in a soccer team are at least four too many. And so the “L’Équipe” reports that the snapping staff at the French top club is to be reduced by half. Because the situation on the position between the posts is known to be like this: Only one can play. And unlike the positions on the field, the goalkeeper is not just changed. There must have been a lot of big blunders. Or an injury.

In Paris, two keepers can hope for the regular place anyway. There is the previous number one Keylor Navas. A veteran. Certainly not a man of the absolute world class, but also no one to doubt. Navas is super solid and sometimes parries in the league of the world’s best. And for the goals of the Parisians, the title in the Champions League, he is actually a suitable guy. As a regular he won the handle pot three times with Real Madrid. Then he was replaced with the Royal by Thibaut Courtois. The Belgian was and is considered one of the best keepers in the world. Navas went to Paris. He wanted to keep playing. His plan worked.

Two are seriously fighting for the regular place

Navas is now getting highly decorated competition: The Italian European champion Gianluigi Donnarumma is hired by the Sheikh Club for sums. He comes from AC Milan. There he was not only a home grown man, but also a supporter and star. And he certainly has other plans than just joining the existing hierarchy for the time being. The outcome of the duel is currently open. The Italian Donnarumma might be rated a little bit higher. Alphonse Areola would also have to join the hierarchy again, his loan from Fulham has only just come to an end. But for the homegrown, the fight for number one status is considered hopeless. Another loan could significantly improve his situation. Say: He could play somewhere else. West Ham United is interested, according to Footmercato. It would be his sixth (!) Since summer 2013.

There are still Sergio Rico, Marcin Bulka (he was last loaned to second division relegated LB Châteauroux), Alexandre Letellier, Garissone Innocent (also last loaned to SM Caen, but no regular there) and Denis Franchi. Rico should definitely leave the club. That is quite surprising. Last season he was the sovereign Navas substitute and played a total of 13 times across all competitions. One reason for his departure is likely: As possible number three, he is getting far too much salary. Apparently there are several interested parties in Spain. A candidate who offers him a regular place is apparently not there.

For Bulka, the Polish U21 international, there are no longer any prospects in Paris. He should also switch. His past season was mixed. In the first half of the season he played for the Spanish second division club FC Cartagena. He was only used three times as a substitute. Things went better after his move to Châteauroux. There he played as a regular (except for game days 26 to 32, which he had to pass injured), but was relegated. This is of course not a recommendation. Even if he wasn’t found guilty.

Mega offensive also with the rest of the team

The Innocent of the same age (21), however, is to be awarded again. The young man, who has been playing for the club since the U17, apparently does not want to finally part with. The Swiss club Xamax Neuchâtel is considered an option. Franchi, who is just 18 years old, will continue to be used mainly in the U19 despite a professional contract. This would clear the way for Letellier, who as the third man in the hierarchy could at least occasionally slip into the squad. The 30-year-old came from second division US Orleans in the fall of last year. He was just number two there. Why did PSG sign him anyway? We do not know it. The transfer doesn’t really fit the luxury lineup.

Incidentally, that has a market value of almost a billion euros. Humility in times of the pandemic? Not an option for the Club of Unlimited Sheikh Possibilities. The newcomers have increased the level of the squad again in the desperate battle for the pot of the handle. Not just Donnarumma in the gate. In central defense, the Real legend Sergio Ramos should be the new boss, the former Dortmund Achraf Hakimi (he comes from Inter Milan) is definitely the first option on the right. And in midfield, Georginio Wijnaldum will also have great ambitions for a regular place. The Dutchman was recently an important player at Jürgen Klopps Liverpool FC. Well, that actually calls it an absurd luxury. But what do you not do for the handle pot …

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