New signings strengthen PSG
Paris Saint-germain wanted an experienced central defender with leadership skills to shore up its defense after losing eight games and the French title last season.
So, the club went for Sergio Ramos, handing the former Real Madrid captain a two-year contract at the age of 35.
Ramos arrives a year after a bitterly disappointed Thiago Silva left the club, at the age of 35, after talks over a new deal for him collapsed. He had wanted a similar deal, but PSG were reluctant to offer it given his advanced age.
Somewhat ironic, then, that PSG have signed Ramos.
Perhaps it would have made sense to keep Silva, who joined Chelsea last summer and won the Champions League — the trophy that still eludes PSG.
Ramos has won it four times. Silva’s last game for the club was in the 2020 final, which PSG lost 1-0 to Bayern Munich.
PSG reached the semi-finals
PSG’S best player throughout was arguably Keylor Navas. He made key saves to keep his side from going out of the group stage and was outstanding against Barcelona and Bayern.
His reward for a superb season?
PSG signed Italy’s European Championship-winning goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnasion,
because Navas proved last season that he is among European soccer’s best goalies.
The 22-year-old Donnarumma was voted Euro 2020’s best goalie, and he is 12 years younger than Navas — so clearly could become a major player for a long time at PSG.
But it still seems unfair on Navas, given that it was largely
When PSG open their campaign away to promoted Troyes next month, it will be interesting to see who wears the No. 1 jersey and how the No. 2 will react.
PSG’S other main signing of the season is right back Achraf Hakimi.
The 22-year-old Morocco international joined for a reported fee of 60 million euros ($71 million) after helping Inter win the Italian title. He was widely considered the best fullback in Serie A and his foraging runs, passing skills and eye for goal will benefit PSG.
Hakimi scored seven goals last season and should complement left back Juan Bernat, who is a similar type of player and an excellent crosser of the ball.
The major question, however, is whether these three signings are enough to persude striker Kylian Mbappe to stay.
The 22-year-old France star is out of contract at the end of the season and, unlike teammate Neymar, he has yet to commit to a new deal.