Luis Enrique’s PSG is getting down to business. More or less serious. In any case, after two weeks of training for some, one for the other, the Rouge et Bleu will put on their jerseys for a first friendly match of the summer this Friday (5 p.m., on beIN SPORTS), in Poissy, on the eve of their departure for the tour of Japan, Saturday. They will be opposed to Le Havre, champion of France in Ligue 2 last season and therefore promoted to Ligue 1 for the next. Obviously, there are no definitive lessons to be expected from this kind of match, that goes without saying. But there are still several elements that we will follow with a little more attention than the others.
While waiting to decide on his future, Kylian Mbappé will be able to focus on what he does best, the field. PSG are annoyed, impatient, hoping and demanding a quick response from their 24-year-old crack, currently under contract until 2024. The extension or the “open door” to a transfer: these are the terms of the ultimatum set out by Nasser Al-Khelaïfi. So far, Mbappé has stuck to his guns and has no intention of returning, while telling anyone who will listen that he will play for Paris Saint-Germain in 2023-24. The question will therefore be how he manages this situation, if he is able to perform despite everything and if his teammates hold it against him for the suspense that hangs over the Parc des Princes. Knowing the guy, that shouldn’t stop him from shining… He’s seen others. We will also be curious to see how Luis Enrique, the new Parisian coach, uses the captain of the Blues. On axis? On the left side ? Knowing that he only started training on Tuesday, like the other internationals and after a firm speech by Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, present for the occasion at the PSG Campus, “KM” will certainly not play 90 minutes.
All new, all beautiful ? PSG are still waiting for several recruits, including probably two attacking starters and a substitute goalkeeper. But six recruits have already come to swell the ranks of the club to 11 titles of champion of France. And they are all in the group against Le Havre. We are talking here about Milan Skriniar (Inter Milan), Manuel Ugarte (Sporting CP), Marco Asensio (Real Madrid), Kang-in Lee (Mallorca), Cher Ndour (Benfica) and Lucas Hernandez (Bayern Munich, see elsewhere). Players that will be interesting to see in action for the first time in their new colors during this first trial run, before the tour in Japan on Saturday.
Among these six recruits, we will follow one with increased attention, Lucas Hernandez. Already because we are talking about a French world champion, a part of the Blues. But also and above all because the former player of Atlético Madrid and Bayern Munich has not played since November 22 and his rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament during the first match of the France team at the World Cup. “My knee is perfect, I’m 200%,” promises the 27-year-old, who resumed training at the end of last season with Bayern. To see if he is “nickel” enough to play this Friday, knowing that Nuno Mendes and Presnel Kimpembe are unavailable and that Juan Bernat is not called up to the group. In the axis, “Lucho” can count on Marquinhos and Skriniar, even Danilo Pereira. On the left, he has… Layvin Kurzawa (see elsewhere) and the young (17) Serif Nhaga.
See also PSG’s fifth recruit, Lucas Hernandez flirts with fans: “You have a warrior in your team, I will give my all”
Like Mauro Icardi (whose transfer to Galatasaray is acquired according to some sources), Leo Paredes or Abdou Diallo, players returning from loan are not intended to stay this summer. They are not part of the group for this Friday, any more than Colin Dagba or Gini Wijnaldum. Three ghosts are however in the list against Le Havre: the former number 1 in goal Keylor Navas, who would see himself regaining his status… but who is announced as a starter, and also Julian Draxler and Layvin Kurzawa. Two players who have experienced physical problems, respectively at Benfica and Fulham. Two players who once started in Paris, but who are (very) far from this level today. A priori, their presence must above all make it possible to show them with a view to a future transfer.
The 27 who are called up for this first friendly match are not sure of all being part of the squad for the coming season. We know, for example, that AS Roma are very keen on Renato Sanches, while Marco Verratti is courted in Europe (Atlético?) and elsewhere (Al-Hilal?) according to certain sources. For Neymar, it’s different again. The 31-year-old Brazilian “hopes” to continue the adventure on the banks of the Seine. Either way, he’s not ready to play even though we saw him training this week.
“Offensive identity is non-negotiable”. This is what Luis Enrique hammered home from his first press conference as PSG coach. “That’s my philosophy. You have to adapt to the players when you are a coach of course. My job as a coach is to get the best out of the players individually and collectively. I can guarantee you that we will play as a team, it is my first mission as a coach and I am sure that they will like to play like that”, he added. Obviously, it will be necessary to be patient before really seeing the effects of the work of “Lucho”.
But we should quickly feel a tremor in terms of playing ambitions, especially after two years of mush under Mauricio Pochettino and Christophe Galtier. Maybe this Friday against HAC? We will also follow the behavior of the 53-year-old coach.
