Keep or Sell: Analyzing Paris Saint-Germain’s Squad Ahead of the Summer Transfer Window
Okay, it’s finally happened. Almost a year after having to resort to intervention from Emmanuel Macron to get him to stay in Paris, Kylian Mbappe has finally left the French capital and moved to Madrid. For PSG bosses, it was the worst possible outcome. While losing your best-ever player, the greatest French player since Zinedine Zidane, for free is far from ideal, if you take a step back though, there are some positives.
On the one hand, Mbappe covered up a lot of cracks and his 34 G/A represents 42% of PSG’s total goals this season. But the squad is full of talent, and if PSG don’t like what they have now, they can always use their unlimited transfer budget to make new signings. With that being the case, let’s have a look at what I think they should do with the current squad next season.
Goalkeepers
Gianluigi Donnarumma
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 25
Contract exp.: 2026
Donnarumma might be a quality shot-stopper, but he’s got a problem. He’s poor with the ball at his feet. That’s why PSG have just agreed to sign Matvey Safonov from Krasnodar and why they should look to sell the Italian shot-stopper. Still only 25 and coming off the back of a season where had the highest save percentage in Ligue 1 (84.5%), they’re likely to be able to cash in.
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Verdict – Sell
Arnau Tenas
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 23
Contract exp.: 2026
While the Spaniard never played for Barcelona, he impressed his former boss so much when training with the first team that he decided to sign him for PSG. Despite conceding 7 goals in 6 games, Tenas proved that he’s able to step up when required and has that most important skill for Enrique, he’s assured on the ball. Still only 23, he’s likely to make a brilliant backup.
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Verdict – Keep
Lucas Lavallée
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 21
Contract exp.: 2026
Unlikely to ever see the field at the Parc De Prince and following a lacklustre loan in Ligue 2, it’s time to sell or release the young Frenchman.
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Verdict – Sell/Release
Defenders
Marquinhos
Position: Centre-Back
Age: 30
Contract exp.: 2028
PSG’s captain and record appearance holder (436), the Brazilian continues to prove an asset to the team, especially with regard to his passing (3rd in the league in avg. passes per game) but he’s clearly slowing down. Restricted to 21 appearances through injury (his least since 2019/20) it’s time to start scaling back his appearances and find a successor, whether that’s Lucas Beraldo or a new signing.
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Verdict – Keep, let him run his contract out.
Lucas Beraldo
Position: Centre-Back
Age: 20
Contract exp.: 2028
Viewed as the heir to Marquinhos, the 20-year-old can play centre of left back and already ranks 6th in Ligue 1 in passes per game (71.8). Given the riches at their disposal, PSG can afford to be patient with him and use him sparingly within the first team.
Verdict – Keep and develop
Milan Skriniar
Position: Centre-Back
Age: 29
Contract exp.: 2028
Seen as the archetypal modern defender who had everything you wanted in a centre back, it took PSG a year to get Skriniar after a drawn-out transfer saga. Unfortunately, he’s largely been disappointing. The Slovakian spent most of the year either injured (24 Ligue 1 appearances) or on the bench, with Lucas Beraldo preferred. While PSG are likely to reinforce, he should still be given the chance to prove last season was a fluke. If next season is the same, however, they’re likely to get rid.
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Verdict – Keep (for now)
Presnel Kimpembe
Position: Centre-Back
Age: 28
Contract exp.: 2026
A sad story, the France international’s spent more than 400 days sidelined with an Achilles tendon rupture. Unlikely to get a reasonable offer given his injury status, the club should allow him to return to the field and rebuild his value, then sell him.
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Verdict – Keep
Nuno Mendes
Position: Left-Back
Age: 21
Contract exp.: 2026
Injuries meant the Portuguese left back’s debut was a bit of an anti-climax (7 appearances). While he showed some promise (8th in the team in dribbles per 90) he’ll be keen to showcase his skills next season, especially given Lucas Hernandez’ ACL tear.
Verdict – Keep
Lucas Hernández
Position: Left-Back
Age: 28
Contract exp.: 2028
One year after joining from Bayern Munich for €40 million, Lucas looks set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Having torn his ACL on May 1, it seems unlikely he’ll be seeing much action at the Parc de Princes in 2024/25.
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Verdict – Keep
Juan Bernat
Position: Left-Back
Age: 31
Contract exp.: 2025
Injury prone, unlikely to see the field and not getting any younger, the Spaniard’s time in Paris is up.
Verdict – Sell
Achraf Hakimi
Position: Right-Back
Age: 25
Contract exp.: 2026
One of the first names on Luis Enrique’s team sheet, the Moroccan fullback provides a dynamic presence in the final third and is a speedy, efficient player on both sides of the pitch.
Verdict – Keep
Nordi Mukiele
Position: Right-Back
Age: 26
Contract exp.: 2027
He’s never going to get the number 1 spot and Zague is younger and more promising. Time to go.
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Verdict – Sell
Yoram Zague
Position: Right-Back
Age: 18
Contract exp.: 2027
A stalwart for the U19 team, he’d make the perfect apprentice to Hakimi. Let him sit on the bench and learn and give him a run out here and there.
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Verdict – Keep and develop
Colin Dagba
Position: Right-Back
Age: 25
Contract exp.: 2025
A bit-part player at Ligue 2 side Auxerre, either sell him or release him.
Verdict – Sell
Midfielders
Manuel Ugarte
Position: Defensive Midfield
Age: 23
Contract exp.: 2028
Whilst he has been unable to show the same prodigious levels that he exhibited at Sporting, time is on the Uruguayan’s side as he looks to make a name for himself and lock down a starting spot at the Parc de Princes.
Verdict – Keep
Gabriel Moscardo
Position: Defensive Midfield
Age: 18
Contract exp.: 2028
The heir/understudy to Ugarte, it’s time for him to get some experience in Europe. After making the move from Corinthians in January, this will be a vital season for him as he looks to adjust from Brazilian football to Ligue 1.
Verdict – Keep and loan
Danilo Pereira
Position: Defensive Midfield
Age: 32
Contract exp.: 2025
Despite his age, he still played 36 games this season, extend him and keep him as a backup.
Verdict – Keep and extend
Warren Zaïre-Emery
Position: Central Midfield
Age: 18
Contract exp.: 2029
Having made 52 Ligue 1 appearances at the age of 18, he’s clearly special. Sadly, might end up being sacrificed in the team’s efforts to find more goals post-Mbappe (7 G/A in 2 seasons).
Verdict – Keep, possibly sell
Vitinha
Position: Central Midfield
Age: 24
Contract exp.: 2027
After a disappointing debut campaign in France, Vitinha has set the world alight and emerged as one of the best players in the Champions League, and he looks set to play a vital role for Les Parisiens next season.
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Verdict – Keep
Fabián Ruiz
Position: Central Midfield
Age: 28
Contract exp.: 2027
In a post-Mbappe world, PSG need more goals. Not only does Ruiz not get them (exceeding 10 G/A once in his career) but he’s not as progressive as Vitinha. PSG should cash in and use the money to buy a cheaper backup at no. 8.
Verdict – Sell
Carlos Soler
Position: Central Midfield
Age: 27
Contract exp.: 2027
Having already been offered to Aston Villa, Brighton and Arsenal, the writing is likely on the wall for the utility man. Time to sell.
Verdict – Sell
Renato Sanches
Position: Central Midfield
Age: 26
Contract exp.: 2027
Bought off the back of a productive spell at Lille, it’s not worked out for Sanches at PSG having failed to impress both there and at Roma. Time to their cut their losses.
Verdict – Sell
Ayman Kari
Position: Central Midfield
Age: 19
Contract exp.: 2025
Showed flashes on loan at Lorient, send him out again and let him develop.
Verdict – Loan
Cher Ndour
Position: Central Midfield
Age: 19
Contract exp.: 2028
Didn’t really get the chance to showcase his talents on loan at Braga, best to send him out again and give him the chance to showcase his skills.
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Verdict – Loan
Xavi Simons
Position: Attacking Midfield
Age: 21
Contract exp.: 2027
The future star man. The Dutch wonder kid’s done nothing but run riot at PSV and Leipzig. Simons has it all. He’s direct (3rd in dribbles per 90) an amazing creator (2nd in goal-creating actions) and a threat himself (19 G/A). PSG might already star players on the team, this is the one they should build the team around.
Verdict – Keep, at all costs
Kang-in Lee
Position: Attacking Midfield
Age: 23
Contract exp.: 2028
Lee won’t start at no. 10 (given Simons’ talents) but he’s still very good. He’s done well covering 6 different positions, is a goal threat (7 G/A) and does well at progressing the ball (6th amongst PSG players in key passes). A brilliant squad player.
Verdict – Keep
Ismaël Gharbi
Position: Attacking Midfield
Age: 20
Contract exp.: 2025
Did well on loan in Switzerland last season (12 G/A). Either send him on loan or keep him for depth (depending on what happens with Ruiz/Lee).
Verdict – Loan
Senny Mayulu
Position: Attacking Midfield
Age: 18
Contract exp.: 2027
Might only be 18 but he’s shown glimpses of talent in limited appearances, keep him on and let him learn.
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Verdict – Keep
Noha Lemina
Position: Attacking Midfield
Age: 18
Contract exp.: 2025
Having joined Wolves on loan in January, PSG may elect to sell Lemina before his contract expires and reunite him with his older brother on a permanent basis, but they might be best served renewing his deal and loaning him out for experience.
Verdict: Loan
Forwards
Bradley Barcola
Position: Left Winger
Age: 21
Contract exp.: 2028
Having joined from Lyon in the final days of the summer transfer window, Barcola has been a vital cog in attack and led them to the Champions League semis, and he will continue to be an indispensable figure for the French champions.
Verdict – Keep
Ousmane Dembélé
Position: Right Winger
Age: 27
Contract exp.: 2028
One of the first names on the team sheet, Ousmane has managed to shake off his injury-prone reputation since joining from Barcelona and has already registered 6 goals and 14 assists in his debut season at the Parc de Princes.
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Verdict – Keep
Marco Asensio
Position: Right Winger
Age: 28
Contract exp.: 2026
He’s not going to start, but he’s a solid depth winger. He’s a good passer (2nd on the team in key passes per 90) and is a goal threat (9 G/A). If you don’t get a decent offer then he needs to stay.
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Verdict – Keep
Gonçalo Ramos
Position: Centre-Forward
Age: 22
Contract exp.: 2028
Given the size of his fee (£65m) his 11 goals might seem poor. But he came into his own from February onwards (9 G/A in 11 games). He’s likely to be given the starting role next season with hopes he can improve. If he can’t, it might get awkward.
Verdict – Keep
Randal Kolo Muani
Position: Centre-Forward
Age: 25
Contract exp.: 2028
While Ramos grew into the role of PSG number 9, Kolo Muani didn’t. Expected to lead the line following a successful World Cup, he’s failed to provide the expected goal threat (11 G/A) and spent much of the season shunted onto the wings. Next season with Mbappe gone, the lights will be brighter. If he still can’t progress, he’ll likely be loaned back to the Bundesliga.
Verdict – Keep, pray he comes good
Overall verdict
Losing your star man is never ideal, but PSG’s team is well-stocked with talent in a lot of areas. That being said, the squad could definitely be better. Defensively, they need some tweaks. At center back, Marquinhos is getting older, Skriniar has struggled to adapt and Beraldo is inexperienced. At right back, they need to sign quality cover for Hakimi.
One player they might consider is Alessandro Buongiorno. While the Torino defender might be expensive, he’s been a revelation at the back and would make the perfect partner to Beraldo. While they’re pretty set for both depth and starters in midfield, they should look to sign a backup 8 and at least one utility player.
Angelo Stiller might be a good option here. Able to cover at CB if needed he’s 19th in the Bundesliga in key passes per game and 4th in passes. The interesting part of the pitch this year is likely to be their attack.
Barcola and Dembele are both talented, without question, but the goals that Mbappe’s taking to Madrid need to come from somewhere, can they make up the shortfall? At number 9, both Ramos and Muani are in the primitive years of their development, they’ve shown flashes, but can they be consistent? If they can’t there’s likely to be some awkward conversations at the end of next season.
By: Kieran Alder / @The_Own_Goal
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Getty Images