PSG's possible line up for tomorrow's match against Strasbourg

FC Bayern Munich v Paris Saint-Germain - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final: Leg One
FC Bayern Munich v Paris Saint-Germain - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final: Leg One

Paris Saint-Germain are enjoying arguably the greatest summer transfer window of all time. They have signed Sergio Ramos, Georginio Wijnaldum, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Lionel Messi on free transfers.

Mauricio Pochettino has an embarrassment of riches to choose from in every position. Paris Saint-Germain are now the overwhelming favorites to win not just Ligue 1, but also the Champions League this season.

Ligue 1 proved to be a disappointment for Paris Saint-Germain last season, with Lille winning the title. Pochettino will be aiming for domestic glory and will field a strong side for Saturday's game against Strasbourg.

In this article, we look at PSG's possible line-up for tomorrow's match against Strasbourg.


Goalkeeper- Keylor Navas

Manchester United v Paris Saint-Germain: Group H - UEFA Champions League
Manchester United v Paris Saint-Germain: Group H - UEFA Champions League

It will be interesting to see what Mauricio Pochettino does when Gianluigi Donnarumma becomes available to play for Paris Saint-Germain.

Keylor Navas and Donnarumma are both world-class goalkeepers, and Donnarumma's arrival on a free transfer will likely see Navas become the second-choice goalkeeper at Paris Saint-Germain. The Costa Rica international is one of the most underrated players in world football and surely deserves better.

For now, though, Navas will start in goal for Paris Saint-Germain. The 34-year old has been excellent for the Ligue 1 giants since joining the club from Real Madrid for £13.5 million in 2019, and helped them reach the final of the UEFA Champions League in 2020.


Also Read: Fabrizio Romano's Transfer Roundup: Neymar's role in Lionel Messi's transfer to PSG, Chelsea's transfer plans and more

Right-back- Achraf Hakimi

Udinese Calcio v FC Internazionale - Serie A
Udinese Calcio v FC Internazionale - Serie A

Paris Saint-Germain have had issues with their full-backs in recent years, but Achraf Hakimi's signing will solve their right-back problem.

Hakimi is one of the best young players in the world, and was highly impressive at both Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan. He is a clear upgrade on the likes of Thomas Meunier and Alessandro Florenzi, who have been Paris Saint-Germain's right-backs over the last few seasons.

Hakimi did not come cheap, with Paris Saint-Germain paying £54 million to acquire him from Inter Milan this summer. The 22-year old is an attack-minded full-back with excellent creative ability, and his pace and technical skill will surely be an asset for the Parc des Princes outfit.


Centre-back - Marquinhos

Liverpool v Paris Saint-Germain - UEFA Champions League Group C
Liverpool v Paris Saint-Germain - UEFA Champions League Group C

Marquinhos is one of the best centre-backs in the world, and the captain of Paris Saint-Germain.

The Brazil international has been at the club for some time now. Marquinhos joined Paris Saint-Germain from Roma in 2013 for £28.2 million, and has blossomed into an excellent centre-back. Good on the ball and physically gifted, Marquinhos' leadership ability has been appreciated as well.

The 27-year old has been utilized in defensive midfield in recent years, where he has thrived. However, with Paris Saint-Germain now boasting incredible midfield depth, there is a good chance that Marquinhos will be predominantly utilized as a centre-back this season.


Centre-back - Presnel Kimpembe

Paris Saint-Germain v Borussia Dortmund - UEFA Champions League Round of 16: Second Leg
Paris Saint-Germain v Borussia Dortmund - UEFA Champions League Round of 16: Second Leg

Paris Saint-Germain's focus on buying big-name superstars has seen them sell their academy talents on a regular basis.

Over the years, Yacine Adli, Tanguy Nianzou and Kingsley Coman have all left the club after limited opportunities. Presnel Kimpembe is a pleasant surprise. The France international is a product of the Paris Saint-Germain academy who has established himself as an important player for both club and country.

The 25-year old was a constant presence in his club's first XI last season, and it is evident that France manager Didier Deschamps rates him highly as well. It will be interesting to see how Kimpembe's minutes are affected by the arrival of Sergio Ramos. With Marquinhos undroppable, Pochettino will have to choose between Ramos and Kimpembe as the season progresses.


Left-back - Abdou Diallo

Club Brugge KV v Paris Saint-Germain: Group A - UEFA Champions League
Club Brugge KV v Paris Saint-Germain: Group A - UEFA Champions League

Paris Saint-Germain's squad is incredible, to say the least. However, if there is a weakness which can be exploited, it is at left-back.

Pochettino has the injury-prone Juan Bernat, the inconsistent Layvin Kurzawa and the centre-back Abdou Diallo as his left-back options. Diallo is likely to start here against Strasbourg, although it is clear that there is a pressing need to find an upgrade in this position.

Diallo joined Paris Saint-Germain from Borussia Dortmund in 2019 for nearly £29 million. The Senegal international has alternated between centre-back and left-back since joining the club, but has not been a consistent starter. It was not surprising to see Paris Saint-Germain linked with AC Milan's Theo Hernandez during the start of the transfer window.


Also Read: 5 most valuable free agent signings of all time

Defensive midfielder - Danilo Pereira

Paris Saint-Germain v Manchester City - UEFA Champions League Semi Final: Leg One
Paris Saint-Germain v Manchester City - UEFA Champions League Semi Final: Leg One

With Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe unlikely to track back or press their opponents, the burden on Paris Saint-Germain's midfielders will increase exponentially.

Danilo Pereira joined Paris Saint-Germain on loan from Porto last season, and the Portugal international was signed for £14.4 million this summer. Pereira is a defensive midfielder by trade, capable of stopping attacks with smart interceptions while also being able to outmuscle his opponents.

The 29-year old is not a complete midfielder, but he is a good player to have, especially defensively. Pereira occasionally operated as a centre-back last season.


Central midfielder- Georginio Wijnaldum

Netherlands Training Session and Press Conference - UEFA Euro 2020: Round of 16
Netherlands Training Session and Press Conference - UEFA Euro 2020: Round of 16

Paris Saint-Germain have made a host of big name signings on free transfers, with Georginio Wijnaldum being one of them.

The Netherlands international signed for Paris Saint-Germain after five top seasons with Liverpool, where he was pivotal under manager Jurgen Klopp. Wijnaldum turned down a move to Barcelona to join the Ligue 1 giants and his experience will be key to Paris Saint-Germain's midfield.

The 30-year old is a fit athlete who rarely missed a game for Liverpool due to injury. Wijnaldum will be a starter for Paris Saint-Germain this season.


Central midfielder- Ander Herrera

Club Brugge KV v Paris Saint-Germain: Group A - UEFA Champions League
Club Brugge KV v Paris Saint-Germain: Group A - UEFA Champions League

Like Idrissa Gueye, Ander Herrera has been linked with a move away from Paris Saint-Germain as the club tries to sort their finances post the arrival of Lionel Messi.

Herrera joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2019 after his contract with Manchester United expired. A fan favourite among the Old Trafford faithful, Herrera endured a quiet debut season in France, but enjoyed a good run in the first team last time around.

The Spain international is a hard worker renowned for his energetic style of play. Herrera is a useful player to have, but given the abundance of choices that Paris Saint-Germain have, it is likely that the 31-year old could leave the club soon.


Also Read: 5 players to score most goals for a single club in the 21st century

Right wing - Angel Di Maria

RB Leipzig v Paris Saint-Germain: Group H - UEFA Champions League
RB Leipzig v Paris Saint-Germain: Group H - UEFA Champions League

To have Angel Di Maria as one of your reserve attackers is a true luxury, and Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly keen to keep the forward.

Di Maria has been sensational since joining Paris Saint-Germain from Manchester United for £56.7 million in 2015. The 33-year old is a highly creative attacker with excellent dribbling ability, and he will be one of the players most delighted with the arrival of Lionel Messi, as he enjoys a good relationship with the forward.

Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe will be Paris Saint-Germain's attacking trio this season. Di Maria's creativity could be utilized in midfield by Pochettino, or he could operate on the wings with Messi or Neymar operating as the attacking midfielder. It is indeed a good headache to have.


Striker- Kylian Mbappe

Paris Saint-Germain v FC Bayern Munich - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final 3: Leg Two
Paris Saint-Germain v FC Bayern Munich - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final 3: Leg Two

Kylian Mbappe is reportedly not happy with the arrival of Lionel Messi and is looking to leave Paris Saint-Germain soon.

The France international is one of the best players in the world and has been heavily linked with Real Madrid for some time now. Mbappe joined Paris Saint-Germain from AS Monaco for £130.5 million, but could leave the club next season on a free transfer.

Mbappe did not enjoy the best of summers, and endured an underwhelming Euros with France. Paris Saint-Germain insist that the 22-year old is not for sale, but unless he signs a new contract, nothing is certain.


Left-wing - Neymar

Manchester City v Paris Saint-Germain - UEFA Champions League Semi Final: Leg Two
Manchester City v Paris Saint-Germain - UEFA Champions League Semi Final: Leg Two

The man who played an important role in Paris Saint-Germain signing Lionel Messi, Neymar will be overjoyed to see his good friend become his teammate again.

Neymar and Messi formed a feared attacking trident at Barcelona alongside Luis Suarez, and the trio of Messi, Neymar and Mbappe will strike fear in the hearts of opponents. Neymar is the one player who can come close to Messi's talent, and the Brazil international enjoys a good wavelength with the attacker.

Unlike Mbappe, Neymar has signed a new deal with Paris Saint-Germain until 2025. The 29-year old is a superstar of the game, and fans are eagerly waiting to see him and Messi together on the field again.


Substitute- Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi - Presentation at Paris Saint-Germain
Lionel Messi - Presentation at Paris Saint-Germain

Lionel Messi's move to Paris Saint-Germain shook the world when it was announced, and football came to a standstill during the landmark event.

The greatest player to have played the game will have to wait for his first start, though. Messi only recently finalized the deal and was officially announced as a Paris Saint-Germain player, and given his Copa America 2021 excursions it is highly unlikely that he will start against Strasbourg.

Messi will most probably have to settle for a bench role in this game. He will be the first name on the teamsheet when he is fully fit.


Also Read: 6 teams that have spent the most in the 2021 transfer window

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