The incredible traffic jam of goalkeepers at PSG

PSG QSI version and the management of goalkeepers, it’s not really great love. From the start, the affair had started badly with the arrival of Salvatore Sirigu, while Nicolas Douchez had already signed from Stade Rennais. The club already found themselves with two elements capable of playing number one. In the end, competition never took place, with the Italian immediately gaining the upper hand over the French. In 2015, however, he saw the arrival of Kevin Trapp, a German solicited by Laurent Blanc and renowned for the quality of his kicking game. Problem, the goalkeeper position is based on an essential feature, that of playing with the hands! Quickly, the doorman, who will be at Euro 2020, makes big mistakes and displays a certain mental fragility. In the summer of 2016, Unai Emery hesitates with Alphonse Areola’s return on loan and juggles the two as best he can, depending on one or the other’s form and confidence. The Titi ends up taking the top but Gigi Buffon arrives in 2018 as number one bis. During one season, the two ramparts compete in serenity but not in performance …

The problem remained unresolved for a long time. No goalkeeper, except Sirigu in his early days, has managed to win in the long term in Paris. Leonardo then achieves a great blow by recovering Keylor Navas, put on the bench by Courtois at Real Madrid. Immediately, the three-time winner of the Champions League made great matches and took the starting place without a shot. During this time, Areola is sent to him on loan at Real and Sergio Rico takes the role of Navas’ understudy. The cohabitation goes very well between the two men, the hierarchy being well established. We can even say that it cements the locker room because the Costa Rican is a leader and the Spaniard, very professional, blends in perfectly with his Spanish-speaking partners. The latter even sees his purchase option being exercised last summer, while Areola is loaned again, to Fulham this time, just like the young Marcin Bulka, 3rd goalkeeper since 2019. Everything seems clear even if the management of the case Areola often comes back to the table. 3rd goalkeeper of the French world champion team, he had extended his contract in December 2018 until 2023 to avoid leaving free from his training club.

7 goalkeepers present, including four internationals, at the resumption for the moment

But the PSG are very good at looking for lice in the head. While the situation seems calm and above all clear, Leonardo has grabbed the ball with Gianluigi Donnarumma. The Italian goalkeeper has just signed with the French club until 2026. At 22, he undoubtedly represents the future, he who is a phenomenon of precocity, having won his number one place at AC Milan in only 16 years old. Arrived at the end of his contract with the Rossoneri, the international azzurro was recruited free. It is a big blow made by the PSG on what one can call a market opportunity. Because the Ile-de-France club absolutely did not need a goalkeeper immediately. Rico was permanently transferred until 2024 last summer and above all, Keylor Navas, author of very great performances this season, especially in the Champions League, was rewarded with an extension running until 2024 a few weeks ago. only. The resumption of training is therefore likely to be done with Donnarumma, Italian international (26 selections), Navas, Costa Rican international (93 caps), Rico, Spanish international (1 selection in 2016) and Areola, French international (3 matches).

This is what you can call a hell of a competition, but the goalkeeper problem does not end there. The Polish Bulka (21), loaned to Cartagena then Châteauroux, will also be present at the start of the school year, as will the young Garissone Innocent (21), loaned this season to Caen. Finally, the young Italian Denis Franchi (18 years old, born in 2002) will no longer be of age to play in the PSG U19s. There may be a big traffic jam because even if the last three walls mentioned will undoubtedly be loaned or sold during the transfer window, finding them a way out will take time. Not to mention the other higher-rated goalkeepers. In all, there are seven players who will be in the same position and there will inevitably be unhappy people in the story. If the departure of Areola is not in doubt, him whose interests are managed by Mino Raiola, the situation is more difficult for the three remaining. Rico will probably not be satisfied with a role of 3rd guardian behind the two monsters. What about Keylor Navas? The arrival of a crack at his post, much younger what is more, will not necessarily be appreciated, he who left Real for precisely that. He might also find it unfair, barely after extending after his huge season.

Donnarumma loaned or kept?

He proved against Barça and Bayern that he was still part of the world gratin at the post. And then how Mauricio Pochettino, whose relations with Leonardo are very fresh, will be able to manage this competition to make it healthy over time? How will the locker room also react to this new situation? Gigi Donnarumma will probably not be satisfied with a few crumbs. He has already played more than 250 professional matches, earns one of the highest salaries in the club and holds a position with Squadra Azzurra. Not to mention Mino Raiola, always inclined to release shattering statements to make his foals play or put pressure on clubs and their coaches. The idea of ​​a loan from the Italian for a season or two is being studied so as not to overshadow Navas. It is still necessary to find him the ideal club which will accept to take charge of his salary, or at least part of it. He is the one who holds the key to the problem. “Fortunately” that Alexandre Letellier, Mathyas Randriamamy and Yanis Saidani all arrive at the end of their contract, otherwise we would not know where to look. Ah yes, it may not be over. According to RMC, Lille’s Lucas Lavallée (18 years old, born in 2003) could sign his first professional contract with PSG …