PSG Left-Back Crisis: Will the Club Seek Reinforcement in January or Turn to a Joker?

2023-09-30 07:18:00

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It’s been a bit of euphoria at PSG since last week. In quick succession, the capital club had just beaten Borussia Dortmund 2-0 at the opening of the Champions League group stage, then OM 4-0, still at the Parc des Princes at the end of the 5th day of Ligue 1. The first clouds arrived as soon as the final whistle blew. In front of a jubilant audience, who did not ask for their rest, certain players (Dembélé, Kolo Muani, Hakimi, Kurzawa) sang songs of a homophobic nature. They risk suspension.

Their fate will be decided by the disciplinary committee which summoned them on October 5. The following Wednesday, more bad news arrived. It is much more problematic for Luis Enrique because Nuno Mendes’ operation has been communicated. He won’t return until 2024. “After new medical examinations and a new in-depth study of Nuno Mendes’ situation, the Paris Saint-Germain medical department has made the decision to carry out surgery this Friday in Finland. The player’s unavailability period is estimated at four months.

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PSG targets a left back

This long absence is all the more annoying as PSG is not very well stocked in this position. Juan Bernat has been loaned to Benfica. Kimpembe, who can help out in this role, will not return before November. Lucas Hernandez has played in this position since his arrival this summer but initially, he was recruited to play in central defense. That doesn’t seem to bother the main person too much. It is mainly the condition of his knee that is being monitored, as he is returning from more than six months of injury. Hakimi will be absent for the CAN, while his natural replacement, Nordi Mukiele, is just returning to the competition.

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That leaves Layvin Kurzawa, who has only played 7 games in two years, notably due to a rupture of the lateral ligament in his knee during his loan to Fulham last year. In these conditions, Luis Enrique therefore opened the door to reinforcement yesterday at a press conference. “It’s something that was already planned. For Nuno Mendes, we must be even more attentive. It is obvious that with the president and Luis Campos (sports advisor) we are very attentive to possibilities. These are things that happen in a season (injuries). I’m not going to complain with the squad I have.”

Recruitment that can take several forms

No complaints no but fears yes. PSG is moving on a tightrope regarding the left-back position. It remains to be seen whether management will want to wait until January and the next transfer window or will attempt reinforcement in the form of a joker. This will require bringing him from a French club. The medical joker does not work for the Nuno Mendes case because he is not a French international. Already this summer, Luis Campos had considered recruiting someone for this position but no profile had appealed to him. The club preferred to bet on Kurzawa in the event of a problem.

Pub. 09/30/2023 09:18 Updated 09/30/2023 09:49

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