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Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) had a fabulous transfer window at the start of the 2021-22 season. Big names such as Lionel Messi, Sergio Ramos, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Georginio Wijnaldum have strengthened their already fearsome squad.
PSG hope new signings will result in Champions League glory
PSG have dominated League 1 over the past decade but are after an elusive Champions League trophy. With these transfers, fans will hope that they can finally get their hands on the continental award.
However, everything hasn’t gone according to plan for the Parisians. Several of their stars have put in sub-par performances and have struggled this season. Regardless, PSG seem to be well on their way to winning another league title.
However, they will need their superstars to regain form if they want to taste success in Europe.
Here we take a look at five Paris Saint-Germain players who need to regain their form in 2022.
#5 Mauro Icardi
Mauro Icardi joined Paris Saint-Germain from Inter Milan with a high reputation. His first spell with PSG was a loan move, wherein he scored a commendable 20 goals in 34 appearances in all competitions. The forward was then signed permanently in 2020 but could not replicate his earlier form.
Icardi, who scored 124 goals in 219 appearances for Inter Milan, was initially called upon to replace Edinson Cavani. However, a certain Kylian Mbappe rose to stardom and has taken all the plaudits.
Icardi began the ongoing season well with two goals in as many games but has since faltered and been dropped to the bench.
He has scored four goals in 15 appearances in Ligue 1 so far and if Icardi does not regain his form, life at PSG will be extremely tough. With familial issues prevailing, he is already under much scrutiny. The Parisians are looking to offload players as well, and the Argentine may be asked to depart sometime this month.
#4 Gianluigi Donnarumma
Gianluigi Donnarumma joined PSG at the start of the season from AC Milan in a transfer that drew quite a lot of criticism from the Milan faithful. The young goalkeeper has a lot more to see in his football career and can certainly become the best.
A rising star, the 22-year-old goalie already has bags of experience under his belt. Donnarumma was crucial for Italy during their successful Euro 2020 campaign and won the Yashin Trophy, given to the best goalkeeper, in 2021. However, the Italian hasn’t had the same gratifying experience so far with PSG.
Donnarumma has kept just three clean sheets in eight appearances in Ligue 1. Additionally, Mauricio Pochettino seems to prefer Keylor Navas over the Italian as of late. The Italian will need to replicate his Euro heroics and remain consistent if he wants to cement his position at PSG.
#3 Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi made headlines in August 2021 when he moved to PSG. The Argentine seemed to have Barcelona in his blood, but he eventually signed for the Parisians with several complications at the Spanish club.
Millions of fans worldwide were waiting to see the magic of Messi in France. However, he has not made much of an impact at PSG. Although he has not played in a significant number of matches, he was still expected to be involved in the goals.
But Messi has scored just one goal and provided five assists in 11 appearances for PSG in the league this term.
The Argentine has shown his true capabilities in the UEFA Champions League, where he has scored five goals in five appearances. PSG face Real Madrid in the Round of 16, and Messi will need to be back to his best if they are to conquer the challenging fixture.
#2 Neymar Jr
Neymar Jr. has been at PSG for five seasons after making his world record £200 million move from Barcelona in 2017. One of the world’s best at his peak, his goals and assists over the years have declined. The Brazilian's current form is a cause for worry not only for the fans, but for Mauricio Pochettino as well.
Neymar has missed a considerable part of the ongoing season due to injuries, managing three goals and three assists in 10 appearances. These numbers may be acceptable for other players, but one expects Neymar to be more heavily involved.
In his first three seasons with PSG, Neymar had 47 goals and 39 assists in 52 Ligue 1 appearances. The Brazilian has also been in the top 10 of the Ballon d’Or rankings several times, but seems to have suffered a steep fall from grace since then.
Neymar has the capability to win games single-handedly and needs to get back on track if PSG want to win this season's Champions League.
Also take a look into who is in Neymar's family, what do they do and how old are they?
#1 Georginio Wijnaldum
Georginio Wijnaldum left Liverpool to join PSG on a free transfer deal at the start of the 2021-22 season. The midfielder has found life difficult in Paris and has yet to find his feet at the Parc des Princes. The 31-year-old himself has admitted to not being completely happy at PSG.
Wijnaldum’s usual consistency seems to be missing for PSG, and his extremely sporadic game time could be contributing to that. He has started less than half of the club's games in the league. Wijnaldum has one goal and one assist in 16 appearances in Ligue 1.
Wijnaldum may not be the flashiest player, but his performances at Liverpool were outstanding. He was a key man under Jurgen Klopp, winning the Champions League and Premier League. The Dutchman has been a shadow of his former self at PSG so far, but if he regains his form, he could be the anchor in PSG’s midfield.
