Europhiles Notebook - Presenting PSG

Malaga was looked at here. Today we focus on PSG, the latest financially doped club in Europe and the only one in France.

Paris St.Germain:

"PSG has an enormous potential - they are the only big football club in a city of 12 million inhabitants! That's unique in Europe. Our aim is to qualify for the Champions League every year as of 2012. Then, from 2015, we want to play a major role in Le Championnat. We don't want to sign Lionel Messi, but we want to invest in the big stars of tomorrow from all over the world, including France."

Ownership:

Wise words from Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the new chairman of the Paris St. Germain board, on behalf of the Qatar Investment Authority, who own a controlling stake in the club. PSG, like Malaga, have big plans for the future but seem to want to do it in a reasonable way, one step at a time. Ironically, dominating the French League may come first and easier than  making much of an impression in Europe, just ask Olympique Lyon, but the sentiment is sound - consistency first, contention later.

Background:

PSG need little introduction, being one of France's biggest and most successful clubs, who have 10 cup wins and two league titles to their name. A force throughout the 1990s, they won their only European title with 1996 UEFA Cup (finishing runners-up the following season). They last won the league in 1994 and have since finished second another four times. In the last 15 seasons, they have won the French Cup five times with a further four silver medals. Playing at the majestic Parc Des Princes, which seats just under 50,000, they share an explosive and regularly fiery rivalry with Olympique Marseille. What might interest most people however, is that the club was only formed in 1970, when Paris FC and Stade St. Germain, two smaller clubs merged. Put another way, when Pele passed to Carlos Alberto for his thunderous fourth strike at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, PSG did not even exist.

Javier Pastore

Transfers:

In the markets this summer, PSG have not been not terribly audacious. A 42 million euro, overpriced, purchase of Palermo winger/striker Javier Pastore aside, they preferred established French league stalwarts and up and coming Ligue 1 players. With long time custodian Gregory Coupet retiring this summer, in came Rennes goalkeeper Nicholas Douchez on a free and Palermo's Salvatore Sirigu. The former kept the most clean sheets last season while Sirigu, is a full Italian international. Other buys included Malian midfield anchor Momo Sissoko from Juventus (and formerly of Liverpool), centre-half Milan Bisevac from Valenciennes and Roma winger Jeremy Menez, all for a combined 21 million. Palermo were the chief beneficiaries of the largesse, pocketing over 45 million from the sales of Pastore and Sirigu. Apparently this caused their President Maurizio Zamparini to promptly lose his mind but more on him at another time. Elderly veterans Claude Makelele and Ludovic Giuly also moved on once their contracts ended, with the former retiring and the latter returning to Monaco, albeit in Ligue 2.

Leonardo with Blaise Matuidi and Bisevac

Key Players:

Lorient's national team striker Kevin Gameiro, at 15 million, is a high profile capture who gives PSG a superior cutting edge up front who has already tallied twice this season. Gameiro's move to a bigger club was only a matter of time and he is the pre-eminent French striker in the division. St. Etienne's playmaking midfielder Blaise Matuidi was another astute purchase, at a very reasonable 10 million. Displaying a similar symmetry to Malaga, both Matuidi and Gameiro are 24 year olds at their peak, who had solid seasons last year while boasting close to 200 league outings each. Signing them both has been an ominous statement of intent.

Kevin Gameiro

Management:

Manager Antoine Kombouare has been at the club since 2009 and is a steady and respected, if somewhat uninspiring, sort. Having played over a 100 times as a rugged defender for PSG, he has roots at the club, where he won both the league and multiple cups in the '90s. As a manager, he led previous clubs Valenciennes and Strasbourg to Ligue 1 stability from Ligue 2, and is well known to get impressive results with little money at his disposal.  Entrusted with the ironic remit of making PSG a Champions' League regular followed by a Ligue 1 force, he may in fact achieve both this season as his squad already looks balanced, potent and deep. He will be helped by Brazilian Leonardo, a former World Cup winner who has managed both Milan and Inter in addition to playing for the former.

Squad Analysis:

Goalkeepers:

The best one-two punch in the division with both Sirigu and Douchez excellent 'keepers. the latter is the nominal starter in net but Douchez has plenty of experience and ability to step in when required. Provided at least one is fit, PSG have no worries in goal.

Salvatore Sirigu

Defence:

Already a solid component of recent teams, the acquisition of Bisevac, a standout last season allows PSG to add a new pillar to an impressive unit. Captain Mahmadou Sakho is considered one of the toughest defenders in Ligue 1 at just 22, with many top European clubs after his signature. Meanwhile left back Sylvain Armand, centre-half Zoumana Camara and Brazilian right full back, Ceara, all complete a rearguard that is returning intact for the fifth consecutive season, it's clear that continuity is a theme at PSG that runs beyond management. Right back Christophe Jallet, and Sakha Tiene on the left, recent additions themselves, add depth at both positions while youngster Loick Landre, promoted from the youth team, lends a versatile option for the future.  The only drawback that PSG's defence has is that four of first six choices at the back are all 30 and over. But, with defenders often peaking at that afe while playing well into their 30s, the concern is minor.  All in all, one of the most imprerious defences in the league.

Mahmadou Sakho

Midfield:

Always blessed with wide players and exciting wingers, PSG have decided to add some steel down the middle with both Matuidi and Sissoko brought in to be deployed deeper centrally. While Matuidi is forward looking with excellent passing and competent shooting, Sissoko is an exact replacement for Makelele, sitting in front of the back four and using his reach and speed to shield the defence. Brazilian Nene, one of the most prolific assist-makers in the Europe, is still a starter on the left and will look to build on his excellent 20 goal haul last year. On the right they now have Menez bombing forward with speedy intent. With Mathieu Bodmer, a rugged, experienced Ligue 1 regular returning alongside established central midfielder Clement Chantome, PSG have two quality players at every position with plenty of coverage on the bench.

Jeremy Menez

Attack:

While their defence and attack are already impressive, its at the front of the formation that PSG really come alive. While Peggy Luyindula and and giant Guillame Hoarau are still at large along with Turkish forward Mevlut Erdinc, PSG now have Argentine winger/striker Pastore able play anywhere in attack along with the prolific Gameiro. Further afield Jean-Eudes Maurice and Loris Arnaud, both youth team products, provide useful options off the bench. A front three of Luyindula or Hoarau with Gameiro and Pastore in tow, is enough to give most European managers sleepless nights.

Guillaume Hoarau

Potential Starting XI:

So far, PSG like to line up in a 4-2-3-1 with the three players behind the lone striker alternating between wingers, support strikers or classic holding midfielders. With a myriad of interchangeable options available, PSG is spoiled for choice.

A more traditional attacking 4-4-2 is also an option.

What's scary is that even if they switched their entire starting XI and only retained Matuidi, they can still field a very powerful and accomplished team that plays 4-3-3.

Verdict:

With the strongest all round squad in France, PSG stand an excellent chance to reclaim the Ligue 1 title. Progression to the latter stages of the Europa League this season  looks likely as well with the depth of talent giving Kombouare plenty of options. The team is also well setup for the future with multiple generations present.

Les Rouge-et-Bleu are here and now.