What is Paris Saint-Germain's Best Starting Lineup?
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What is Paris Saint-Germain's Best Starting Lineup?
Luis Enrique prefers a 4-3-3 formation, but who will he select to play alongside Kylian Mbappé on match day?
Paris Saint-Germain’s 2023-24 campaign is off to a lukewarm start thanks to a scoreless draw against FC Lorient at the Parc des Princes and a 1-1 draw on the road against Toulouse FC. The reigning Ligue 1 champions are yet to score a goal from open play, and there are a few injuries to be concerned about.
It’s not all doom and gloom in the French capital. The new manager, Luis Enrique, has a host of new signings and arguably a more balanced squad than the one Christophe Galtier led last season, with Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr. leading the attack.
There have been nine new signings this summer—11 if you count Hugo Ekitiké’s loan becoming permanent and Xavi Simons returning from PSV Eindhoven only to be loaned to RB Leipzig days later. As impressive as that number is, there could be at least two more signings: Randal Kolo Muani from Eintracht Frankfurt and Bradley Barcola from Olympique Lyonnais. Both transfer files are heading in the right direction, and most transfer gurus in the knows would tell you PSG are the favorite to land both attacking players.
So, what is PSG’s best starting XI, assuming everyone is healthy, and Kolo Muani and Barcola join before the close of the transfer window? Well, we know that Enrique likes to play a 4-3-3 formation, and from the first two games of the season, we can tell which players the former Spain national team manager likes and who he doesn’t. With that said, let’s take a look at PSG’s best starting lineup for the 2023-24 season:
4-3-3 formation
Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma
Defense: Nuno Mendes; Milan Škriniar; Danilo Pereira; Nordi Mukiele
Midfield: Manuel Ugarte; Marco Verratti; Kang-In Lee
Attack: Kylian Mbappé; Randal Kolo Muani; Ousmane Dembélé
Bench Options: Bradley Barcola; Lucas Hernández; Marquinhos; Achraf Hakimi; Vitinha; Fabián Ruiz; Marco Asensio; Gonçalo Ramos; Cher Ndour; Arnau Tenas; Warren Zaïre-Emery; Carlos Soler; Keylor Navas; Juan Bernat; Hugo Ekitiké
First, let’s just marvel at how well this team has been rebuilt. In just one transfer window, football advisor Luis Campos has brought in young, talented players and filled nearly every hole in the squad.
Look at the bench, for example. Last season, PSG lacked depth on defense and had to play 17-year-old El Chadaille Bitshiabu against FC Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League. Now, they can bring in the likes of Lucas Hernández, a France international, or Marquinhos, a Brazil international. Achraf Hakimi has hit a rough patch as of late, but make no mistake about it, he’s considered one of the best right-backs in Europe. If PSG needs a late goal, there’s Marco Asensio, a former Real Madrid player waiting in the wings, as well as youngsters Barcola, Gonçalo Ramos, and Warren Zaïre-Emery. In order to win the Champions League, you have to have depth, and PSG finally has it.
Let’s turn our attention to the starting lineup. There’s no surprise in goal. Gianluigi Donnarumma is the man and will have the entire season to prove why he’s one of the best in Europe.
In attack, PSG can run out three Frenchmen in Kylian Mbappé, Kolo Muani, and Ousmane Dembélé. This didn’t happen by accident. Mbappé likely wanted these two in Paris with him, and I think it will go a long way in convincing him to sign a new contract with the club.
In the midfield is where I think a question can be asked. Not about Marco Verratti and Manuel Ugarte; we’ve seen enough from them to know they can possess the ball, make interceptions, and control the pace of the game. Kang-In Lee will likely play in that attacking midfielder role, and it remains to be seen if he’s the answer. He has loads of quality, that’s for sure, but is he ready for the big stage and bright lights of a Champions League night in Paris? I think he is, but we’ll have to wait and see.
I love PSG’s new backline. Nuno Mendes is, in my opinion, the best left-back in the game. Milan Škriniar is as advertised. He’s so confident when called upon, and his positioning is stellar. Next to him is where we might have some controversy. I went with Danilo Pereira because, quite frankly, he’s earned it. It’s been two seasons now, and the Portugal international hasn’t put a foot wrong. He’s so consistent and will play anywhere he’s asked. At right-back, I went with Nordi Mukiele for the simple fact that Hakimi has been struggling longer than he should, and the mistakes are mounting up. In this new era of PSG, no spot is guaranteed, and if you don’t earn it in training and matches, you’ll lose your spot. That’s what happened here.
I think this is a team that can win Ligue 1, which shouldn’t be too much of a surprise. But, I also think they can make some noise in the Champions League. Manchester City and Bayern Munich are probably the favorites, and Real Madrid are always tough, but PSG should be confident about a team run in the tournament thanks to a summer of signings that has ushered in a new era at Paris Saint-Germain.