Paris Saint-Germain's team of the decade

Paris Saint-Germain has seen a lot of flux this decade
Paris Saint-Germain has seen a lot of flux this decade

Paris Saint-Germain represents, arguably the most drastic change any team has gone through over the last decade. At least in terms of positive transitions. 2010 to 2020 has seen them grow from relative nothings to giants in footballing terms similar to Chelsea's boom in the last decade after Roman Abramovich took over.

They have dominated the domestic circuit and chased the European dream for the best part of the decade. However, success in Europe eludes them at the moment. The farthest they have gotten so far was back in 2015-16 when they scored against Chelsea in the last moments of the Round of 16 to make it to the quarter-finals.

Regardless of their inability to perform in the latter stages of the Champions League, they have put together teams of immense calibre over the course of the last ten years. It means that many names you expect to make it will miss out, but there are good reasons for those picked to be on this list.


Defence

Goalkeeper: Salvatore Sirigu

Sirigu may have been expected to leave for a big name but his performances keep him at Parc Des Princes
Sirigu may have been expected to leave for a big name but his performances keep him at Parc Des Princes

Signed in 2011, Salvatore Sirigu may not be cult figure across Europe but he will be special to the PSG faithful. He was a regular for four seasons before being displaced by Kevin Trapp in his fifth and deciding to move away from Paris. He was the custodian at the beginning when PSG made their own first set of "galactico" signings, bringing in a wave of talent. Yet Sirigu remained firm in goal for longer than was expected and he made a reputation for himself.

Right-Back: Thomas Meunier

Thomas Meunier has made the right-back spot his own
Thomas Meunier has made the right-back spot his own

Christophe Jallet and Dani Alves come to mind, but without a doubt, the one that brought the most to this role over the course of the last 10 years is the Belgian Thomas Meunier. He took over from Jallet and imposed himself as a regular in the team. While Alves' arrival did displace him for a short period he came back stronger than ever and is today one of the strongest players in the modern-look PSG.

Centre-Back: Thiago Silva

Thiago Silva is a conductor of the defensive line
Thiago Silva is a conductor of the defensive line

Among the cream of European defenders, Thiago Silva is as complete as it gets in the centre-back position. The Brazilian has spent the best part of this decade starting regularly at the back for Paris Saint-Germain and impressing consistently. He's had to play alongside different prospects young and old but he's remained a level above almost all of his defensive partners. The accolades have come at club level for Silva in terms of trophies, and he's been recognised at an individual level as one of the best in the world.

Centre-Back: Marquinhos

There is a strong Brazilian contingent at Paris Saint-Germain and Marquinhos is perhaps the most critical
There is a strong Brazilian contingent at Paris Saint-Germain and Marquinhos is perhaps the most critical

The heir apparent to Thiago Silva is his versatile compatriot. Marquinhos has played different roles across the defensive line and now sometimes functions in midfield as well. By and large, he tucks in alongside Silva and provides a very mobile option carrying the ball out from defence often showing sensible movement to drop back when he needs to while also contributing in attack. He's proving to be a leader ripe to take over when the 35-year-old Thiago Silva decides to leave or call it quits.

Left-Back: Maxwell

Maxwell's skills ranged from solid full-back to marauding attacker
Maxwell's skills ranged from solid full-back to marauding attacker

So entrenched in the PSG ecosystem that Maxwell, having retired, is now the sporting director at the club. The Brazilian arrived from Barcelona as a January transfer and slotted right in. He provided a dynamism on the left to match varied attackers who have graced the same flank over the years. He has the range of skills to make it in the final third in his own half as well as attacking the opposition.

Midfield

Central Midfielder: Marco Verratti

His uncanny ability to get out of tricky situations and emerge with the ball has made him popular in Paris
His uncanny ability to get out of tricky situations and emerge with the ball has made him popular in Paris

Both Marco Verratti and Paris Saint-Germain have repeatedly said that they're happy in each other's company but the offers for the Italian midfielder reportedly will not stop pouring in. He's now in his prime and has chosen to use his skills to further the club's ambition for European success. His excellent close control, ball retention and dribbling ability makes him fit to play anywhere across a midfield three and if the occasion demands it, perhaps even further forward.

Central Midfielder: Adrien Rabiot

Problematic yet promising describes Rabiot's time at PSG well
Problematic yet promising describes Rabiot's time at PSG well

The nature of his departure has been less than cordial, Adrien Rabiot has been influential in their style of play under a host of managers. Many times he was tasked with being the deepest of a three-man set-up, not a role he particularly enjoyed. However, he thrived in that role, especially given that he was playing as an attack-minded number 6 for a team that often faces others that sit back or try to stifle them, he was always an advantage. Thiago Motta perhaps will be aggrieved to be upstaged by Rabiot, but the Frenchman typified the promise yet problematic state of the club.

Central Midfielder: Blaise Matuidi

An absolute joy to watch in full flow, Matuidi gave the club many of his prime footballing years
An absolute joy to watch in full flow, Matuidi gave the club many of his prime footballing years

From the time he joined the club in 2011 to the time he left it in 2017, Blaise Matuidi played every game he could for PSG. The ever-reliable box-to-box midfielder offers so much in both defence and attack. All around him there was flux but he remained constant and offered plenty for this side. Although it's not entirely his forte, he often comes up with some goals for his teams as well and that was certainly true for PSG.

Attack

Left-Wing: Neymar

Neymar has found it difficult to keep fit, but when he's on the pitch he produces magic
Neymar has found it difficult to keep fit, but when he's on the pitch he produces magic

Both Neymar and Kylian Mbappe represent the lengths this club would go to in terms of showing their financial muscle, to achieve their goals. Neymar arrived from Barcelona in 2017 and has since made a big dent in the club. When fit and available he is often the difference-maker in the side. The likes of Ezequiel Lavezzi, Javier Pastore, and Lucas Moura also deserve a shout in this discussion, but Neymar is the one that truly encapsulates them all in spirit.

Right-Wing: Kylian Mbappe

A youngster like no other, Mbappe has taken Paris and the world by storm
A youngster like no other, Mbappe has taken Paris and the world by storm

The French World Cup winner was just a little over 11 years old when the decade began. However, the last few years have only seen his stock rise to phenomenal standards. Kylian Mbappe has been a constant impact maker for this PSG team. His swiftness, deftness of touch and ability to seek out space and expose defenders constantly turns heads. This is incredibly unfair on Angel Di Maria who has perhaps contributed more to this team than either Neymar or Mbappe but the latter two are the personification of the flair of PSG while Di Maria is the function aspect.

Striker: Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic became an icon for the Paris Saint-Germain project
Zlatan Ibrahimovic became an icon for the Paris Saint-Germain project

The exclusion of Edinson Cavani is perhaps the hardest thing of all to do because he's the club's all-time top scorer and continues to be a pivotal part of this attack when he's fit. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, though, has for so long symbolised the whole project at PSG. Cavani played alongside him as well and has done immensely well since the Swede's exit to fill his boots, but Zlatan's legacy will stand tall for years to come.

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Edited by Vishal Subramanian