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For Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), last season was quite bitter; one they'd love to forget in a hurry. While they lost their number one position as the dominating team in French football, the Parisians picked up their first ever back-to-back Champions League semi-finals.
Domestically, Paris Saint-Germain floundered badly, and even their European appearance saw them lose both home and away to Manchester City. Clearly, Mauricio Pochettino has made some serious improvements to the first team squad. After all, he's expected to dominate the domestic league and seriously contend for European glory again.
The French giants have brought in 5 players, especially in defensive positions as Pochettino seeks to seal up the leaks that cost them the French title. With just Kylian Mbappe and Moise Kean raking in 40 goals last season, putting the ball into the net obviously isn't an issue for the club. However, PSG conceded 28 goals last season, noticeably worse than Lille, who conceded only 23.
Sergio Ramos decided against renewing his Real Madrid contract and chose to move to France, perhaps intent on hanging up his boots in a few years. Gianluigi Donnarumma - the star of Italy's EURO conquest - also joined PSG on a free transfer, and so did former Liverpool star Gigi Wijnaldum.
This has clearly been a brilliant transfer season for the Parisians, who have picked up two highly experienced players, as well as 22-year-old Donnarumma who is unarguably one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Danilo Pereira - who was on a year-long loan at Le Parc des Princes - has opted to remain in Paris, with PSG opting to make his presence permanent through the option-to-buy clause in the loan deal.
The French giants did splash some cash, though, bringing in wing-back Achraf Hakimi for an initial €60 million from Inter Milan. There have also been rumors about Paul Pogba's exit from Old Trafford, as well as PSG's intent to bring the world-class midfielder to his home country. However, the player's future remains uncertain and it is unlikely that he will leave Manchester United this season.
Another player who might play at le Parc des Princes this season is Theo Hernandez. A number of clubs have shown interest in the full-back, but PSG seem very intent on offering him a lucrative contract to come on board. The 23-year-old currently earns around €2 million net per season at AC Milan, and a much better offer from the Parisians might tempt him to make the move.
Lionel Messi's 18-year run with Barcelona has finally come to an end, as the club were unable to fulfill a contract that had been agreed with the player. Rumor mills are on high-alert, with pictures of the Argentine wizard already getting photoshopped with jerseys from potential clubs. One such club - known for picking up prime players on free transfers - is Paris Saint-Germain, and news sources say that the French giants are monitoring the Messi situation closely. If everything goes according to plan for PSG, Messi might be wearing the Parisians' iconic blue and red jersey this month.
So how will these players fit into Mauricio Pochettino's plans to forcefully take back the domestic crown from Lille and gun for continental success? Let's find out how PSG's first team is likely to line up once the transfer window closes:
Goalkeeper - Gianluigi Donnarumma
The towering goalkeeper has taken the world by storm following his amazing performances for Italy in the EUROs. Guiding them through to the final with his shot-stopping skills, Donnarumma saved Bukayo Saka's penalty to ensure his side picked up the coveted trophy.
His transfer to PSG comes as a total coup because of how critical he has been to AC Milan's success in recent years. In fact, the star has been the number one man between the sticks for the Rossoneri since he was just 16. However, Milan were unwilling to pay his high wages, and PSG - who are perfectly willing to pay exorbitant fees - decided to snap up the Serie A goalkeeper of the year.
He's certainly going to strengthen the Parisians between the sticks, and chances are he'll play every important match for Pochettino. How he fares is up to the future, but based on his past performances, PSG have certainly found a goalkeeper they can rely on.
Also read: Lionel Messi approached by Paris Saint-Germain - Reports
CB: Sergio Ramos
The experienced PSG centre-back couldn't come to contract terms with Real Madrid, a club he has played for - and won trophies with - for over a decade. A rift grew between the defender and club president Florentino Perez, which ultimately led to Ramos' decision to exit after his contract expired. PSG saw an opportunity to bring in a Champions League winning defender and took it.
Although the Spaniard might be aging, he still has a couple years to give to the field. Ramos comes to Paris with tons of experience and Pochettino will look to use as much of it as possible. Ramos will certainly feature in the side consistently - for this season at least.
CB: Marquinhos
PSG might be itching for defensive replacements in all areas, but Marquinhos won't be easy to replace. The Brazilian was on form for the Parisians throughout much of the time he played for them. And while he did have injuries to contend with, he was always given a starting XI position the moment he was fit to play. It doesn't look like Pochettino would want to make any changes there.
Aside from being such an important player, the 27-year-old is also PSG's captain. With his ratings high and his market value unchanging, it is unlikely that Marquinhos will leave Paris during this transfer window. It would be interesting to see how he partners with new signing Sergio Ramos.
CB: Presnel Kimpembe
There have been talks about the 25-year-old Frenchman moving to Chelsea, who are reportedly looking to bolster their defense in preparations for next season. However, with Kimpembe playing 40 games for club and country throughout last season, it is highly unlikely that PSG - where the defender has spent his entire career - would want to push him out.
Pochettino would certainly fit Kimbempe into a 3-4-3 styled formation. or he would be a great backup in the event that Sergio Ramos or Marquinhos get injured during the course of the season. The Frenchman still has 3 years left on his contract and the former Tottenham manager is reportedly intent on keeping him at the club.
LWB: Theo Hernandez
Paris Saint-Germain are on the hunt for a full-back to improve on the club's defense, as well as attacks down the flank. Their main choices for those positions are currently Layvin Kurzawa and Juan Bernat, but after a below-par season, both will look to make way for a younger Theo Hernandez.
The Rossoneri defender made 12 goal contributions in Serie A last season, compared to a combined 2 goal contributions from PSG's current left-backs across all competitions. Currently, AC Milan have rejected a €40 million bid from Paris Saint Germain, but the Parisians are intent on getting their man and all signs point to an improved and accepted bid before the window closes.
If Hernandez joins PSG, Pochettino will be keen to bring him into the first-team immediately.
RWB: Achraf Hakimi
Alessandro Florenzi and Colin Dagba, both PSG right-backs, managed a combined 5 goal contributions in the Ligue 1 last season. So it was clearly a tactical move on the Parisians' part to write out the cheque for Achraf Hakimi. The Moroccan right-back picked up a brilliant 15 goal contributions for Internazionale in Serie A last season - a stark difference compared to PSG's right-backs.
There's no doubt Hakimi will get into the first team from day one, and will likely make consistent appearances for Mauricio Pochettino's side through much of next season. PSG will be expecting him to live up to his transfer fees, and fans will certainly be hoping he doesn't flunk.
CM: Gigi Wijnaldum
The PSG star revealed - in an interview with The Times - that his decision to leave Liverpool was partly fueled by social media abuse from fans. There were reports that he was demanding £200,000 a week as part of his renewed contract, and Liverpool's disagreements with that wage was the reason he didn't renew with the club. However, the star midfielder reiterated that he was the one who got the blame - on social media - whenever Liverpool lost.
Now at PSG, his three-year contract will see Wijnaldum earn £165,000 per week, nearly twice his former wage at Liverpool. The star midfielder comes with loads of experience from his time at Anfield, winning both the English title and the Champions League there. His new employers expect him to replicate the same feats and will give him the chance to do so from the start of the season.
CM: Marco Verratti
If rumors are to be believed, Chelsea are contemplating making a bid to bring Marco Verratti to Stamford Bridge this season. However, the Parisians have no reason to let a player of his ability leave - especially when they're looking to win back the French crown.
The 28-year-old Italian international has been an important member of the PSG's midfield, making 28 appearances in the domestic and European league last season. Verratti's performance in the EUROs also aided in Italy's eventual victory, and it will be difficult to sideline him as the season starts.
If PSG get their way with Paul Pogba and bring the Manchester United star to le Parc des Princes, Verratti may have his position threatened. However, the Pogba deal looks unlikely and the French giants will have to rely on the Italian this season.
RWF: Lionel Messi
If any club has the finances to pay Lionel Messi's wages, while having a team that can contend for the Champions League, it's Paris Saint-Germain. With Messi currently a free agent, and PSG likely at the forefront of his signature, there's a good chance that the Argentine will reunite with former Barcelona star Neymar.
672 club goals, 34 trophies, 6 Ballon d’Or awards: this is what Messi will bring to the table if he joins the Parisians this summer. Impossible to bench unless unfit or injured, Messi will be at the forefront of every game under Pochettino. With Kylian Mbappe's goalscoring abilities as well as Neymar's flair, Messi will fit right in as the sublime playmaker of the team.
With Messi in the starting XI, fellow Argentine Angel Di Maria may want to leave the club, especially if he's unable to get any playing time. However, Di Maria has already agreed to a one-year contract extension with PSG, and he may choose to spend his final season on the bench.
LWF: Neymar
Constant struggles with fitness and injury-related issues have seen Neymar's career stagnate a bit at PSG in recent years. However, when the Brazilian star does play, his performances are almost always sublime. With 8 goal contributions in 9 Champions League games last season, as well as 14 goal contributions in 18 league games, it isn't a surprise that PSG were quick to renew Neymar's contract.
The former Barcelona star was previously angling for a move back to the Nou Camp, but his new contract will certainly keep him in France, for now at least. Neymar makes the starting XI in arguably any team in the world, and Pochettino will certainly look to keep him as injury-free as possible for the best results.
CF: Kylian Mbappe
Yet another man who will be unquestionably crucial in PSG's efforts to win more than one trophy this season: Kylian Mbappe. The world-class attacker has been highly clinical in front of goal for PSG, churning in an astonishing 27 goals in only 31 league appearances. His performances in the Champions League have been even better, with the 22-year-old scoring 8 goals in 10 appearances.
Mbappe's incisiveness is something that Mauricio Pochettino can lean on for goals this season. With PSG making transfer moves to seal the leaks in defense, Mbappe's goalscoring ability will ensure they are able to win many more games this season.
The World Cup winner has been linked with a big-money transfer move to the Santiago Bernabeu in recent years, but so far nothing concrete has come from Real Madrid. With everything under consideration, Kylian Mbappe is set to stay at PSG for the foreseeable future.
