Injury-Prone Players Find Home at Paris Saint-Germain
From Neymar to the incoming Milan Škriniar, several PSG players hope to return to form ahead of next season.
There are several questions about Paris Saint-Germain’s squad heading into next season—who will replace Lionel Messi, who will play in midfield…—but perhaps none more important than the health of several key starters.
Let’s start with Neymar Jr. This is a guy who spends more time playing online poker and allegedly sliding into Instagram models’ DM’s than he does scoring goals on the pitch for PSG. His season was cut short last February when he went down with a turned ankle and eventually opted for surgery. The Brazil international should return to training this summer, but there’s no guarantee the ankle will be stronger, and at 31 years old, Neymar’s best days may be behind him.
Then you have Presnel Kimpembe, who also went down last season in February. The nature of the Frenchman’s injury, a ruptured Achilles tendon, could keep him out until early 2024. There’s no question that Kimpembe loves PSG and wants to be here, but I don’t see how the club can realistically count on his contributions next season, and a difficult decision will need to be made about his contract, which expires at the end of next season.
That brings me to Lucas Hernández, who PSG has reportedly signed for €48-€50 million from FC Bayern Munich. The last time we saw Hernández, he was writhing on the ground at the 2022 FIFA World Cup and was later diagnosed with a torn ACL. He hasn’t played since then, but for some reason, PSG felt it prudent to pay Bayern’s price and help subsidize the German club’s signing of Kim Min-jae from Napoli.
Let’s also not forget that Milan Škriniar. PSG signed the Inter Milan defender last January and, while he completed the season with the Serie A side, underwent back surgery.
If all of these players can return from injury and resume their previous form or surpass it, well then, we can all look at this article and laugh. However, the more likely scenario is all of these players come back from injury and look pedestrian in Ligue 1 and overmatched in the UEFA Champions League.
Why is that the most likely scenario? Well, let’s just say I have good reason not to put a lot of faith in the PSG medical staff. Players routinely miss more time than what’s typical to return from injury. Just look at Sergio Ramos. When he arrived from Real Madrid in 2021, Ramos missed most of the season due to calf and muscle issues. Why would Neymar, Kimpembe, Hernández, and Škriniar be any different?
The 2023-24 season is a critical one. It’s a campaign in which PSG will attempt to advance past the Round of 16 of the Champions League for the first time in two seasons. It’s also potentially Kylian Mbappé’s last season in the French capital. If PSG hopes to convince their superstar player to either agree to an extension or sign a new contract, I’m not sure how signing injury-plagued players will do that.
As much as we’ll all be watching for how a new manager sets up tactically and the overall style of play, PSG supporters will look at the medical report each week through their hands to see who is out and for how long.
Of course, injuries are a part of the game. Given his sky-high wages and contract length, there’s little PSG can do about Neymar’s situation. With Kimpembe, he’s been such an advocate for the club that I wouldn’t mind PSG giving him an incentive-laden contract just to remain in the dressing room.
But, for PSG to pay a substantial fee for a player still recovering from an ACL tear is ridiculous, especially when it strengthens a side that knocked you out of the Champions League last season. Škriniar will likely be OK, but given PSG’s bad luck as of late, is anyone betting on him to play the entire season?
I put a lot of faith in Luis Campos, PSG’s part-time football advisor, but these recent transfers make no sense when for the money, PSG could sign players younger, healthier, and arguably just as talented, if not more so.
This is a great piece with a lot of the points on every fans mind. Why Injured players?? Especially the Lucas deal.
The Lucas deal has more to do with him being French and in close proximity with Mbappe also being a perfect fit for a back three system which is what Campos wanted to enforce that’s why he wanted to appoint Mourinho/Amorim as the head coach. Unfortunately Qatar had other plans.
Asensio is another player that was fueled by commission greed over actual footballing reasons. Seems like Campos prioritizes his and Mbappe/Mendes interests over the club which is never good.
I think we would’ve fared better with a Michael Edwards who prioritizes the club over personal gain. I mean look at Newcastle they are absolutely flying at the moment due to their brilliant SD Dan Ashworth and club ethos. That should be us instead we’re just stroking Mbappe ego instead of doing what is best for the club’s future.