Ligue 1 – Paredes, Wijnaldum, Icardi … The 11 “undesirables” of PSG deciphered

Alphonse Areola a rejoint West Ham once morest just over 9 million euros, OGC Nice exercised the option to buy Marcin Bulka (2 million euros), Colin Dagba joined Strasbourg on loan, Angel Di Maria left free, all like Xavier Simons. Slowly but surely, Paris is carrying out a degreasing that it wants on a large scale in this summer transfer window. But the most complex files are still far from having been managed.

Saturday, The Parisian unveiled the list of eleven players that the Ile-de-France club considered undesirable. The simple reading of the latter gives an idea of ​​the extent of the construction site.

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• Abdou Diallo
• Eric Junior Dina Ebimbe
• Julian Draxler
• Idrissa Gueye
• Andrew Herrera
• Mauro Icardi
• Thilo Kehrer
• Layvin Kurzawa
• Leandro Paredes
• Danilo Pereira
• Georginio Wijnaldum

Some names regularly mentioned in the sense of departures lately are missing, like those of Presnel Kimpembe and Arnaud Kalimuendo. But the eleven above are enough to create the debate. Thus, three categories can be identified.

They can still play a role

The first case that calls out is that of Leandro Paredes. Whether among players already under contract or potential newcomers (Renato Sanches), the Argentinian presents a unique profile. His grinta, his impact and his quality of long play make him, on paper, a more than credible candidate in the double pivot of 3-4-1-2 that Christophe Galtier should put in place. At least in a role of understudy. Not to mention that he was, on the scale of last season, one of the best Parisian midfielders.

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A notch lower, in defense, the list seems too full, unless Paris has planned to sell… to buy back behind. Between Danilo Pereira, Thilo Kehrer and Abdou Diallo, PSG would be well advised to keep at least one. It would double the positions with the centrals alongside Sergio Ramos, Marquinhos, Presnel Kimpembe, Milan Skriniar and El Chadaille Bitshiabu, if the latter is gradually integrated into the rotation, and if we consider the arrival of the Slovak as confirmed. Danilo might be the winner, he who has a lower rating than his two teammates and has the advantage of being versatile.

Finally, the Wijnaldum case is also being discussed. The Dutchman was clearly one of the biggest flops of last season for his first season in Ligue 1. But it is enough to remember his performances with Liverpool to want to give him a second chance. Above all, there is the tactical aspect. In 2019 – but not only – it was brilliantly that he had occupied a place of number 10 in Ronald Koeman’s 3-4-1-2 in selection. Effective captain in front of goal, Wijnaldum then made his big volume of play speak. In the capital, there is a place of lining to be filled in this position, behind Neymar or Messi.

Sportingly, there is no more room for them

It is obvious, Paris must degrease. We said it above, at least two players among Danilo, Diallo and Kehrer must leave the club, otherwise their playing time will be very reduced. And if Achraf Hakimi will have to find a double on the right side following the departure of Colin Dagba, the French champion is more than well equipped on the left, with Nuno Mendes, Juan Bernat and Layvin Kurzawa.

Either, in order, the holder, the substitute, and the placard. The former Monegasque has, in fact, almost no chance of finding playing time. The inconsistency of his contract extension in 2020 for four seasons – and in the midst of Covid – has been sufficiently underlined. It is now a question of repairing this error.

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But the most clogged sector is undoubtedly the midfield. In the future Galtier system, there will only be two starting places left for the profiles of numbers 6 or 8. And therefore far too many suitors, not to mention that Renato Sanches might follow Vitinha in the direction of arrivals, even if the Portuguese can evolve higher.

Idrissa Gueye, Ander Herrera and Eric Junior Dina-Ebimbe are clearly too many. Especially if Paris wants to give playing time to the very promising Warren Zaire-Emery (16), brilliant during the coronation of the France U17 team at the Euro, or even to Ayman Kari (17), who has just signed his first professional contract.

There would be room, but…

There remains, finally, a very specific category. That of players whose profile might be useful to PSG next season… but who are far too expensive compared to their performance. Julian Draxler and Mauro Icardi, not to mention them.

The case of the German has been problematic for several years now. At 28, he reminds us from time to time that he is still capable of lightning. But his contribution has become almost nil. The attacking midfielder has played only fifty Ligue 1 matches over the last three seasons and remains on a year with two goals and two assists in all competitions. His profile would make sense as an understudy in support of the two attackers. But his state of form is totally out of step with his 562,000 euros monthly.

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That of the Argentinian had started to ask questions from his second season in the capital, before becoming almost insoluble during the last exercise, completed with five goals in 30 matches in all competitions. Unworthy of what he had shown with Inter Milan in Serie A, then confirmed with Paris on his arrival. It’s simple, Icardi is one of the only two recourses behind Kylian Mbappé in a profile of number 9, with Arnaud Kalimuendo. But he is one of Leonardo’s major failures in the transfer market. At 800,000 euros per month, Paris must get rid of it and Gianluca Scamacca to Hugo Ekitike via Robert Lewandowski, the avenues explored to replace it are clearly identified. There won’t be many suitors…

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