When Qatar Sports Investments took over Paris Saint-Germain in 2011, they did so with the idea of winning the UEFA Champions League. Yet, over a decade later, the capital club has yet to accomplish this feat.
Despite having Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Neymar Jr., one pundit doesn’t consider to be a Champions League contender as the competition gets underway in a couple of weeks.
Jean-Michel Larqué, a former Paris Saint-Germain player, expressed his doubts about the Parisian defense on “Rothen s’enflamme” Friday.
“Ramos’ performance crystallizes criticism, but I wouldn’t want to blame all the ills, all the responsibilities of an unbalanced team on a single player,” Larqué said (h/t Paris Fans). “We often speak, tactically, of an unbalanced team with three attackers who do not defend. There is a defense which is still in great difficulty in my eyes because the effort of the Parisian leaders is constantly focused on the names in front. And behind, from time to time, we take a player who gives satisfaction.
Yes, but today we no longer have the Marquinhos of three or four years ago. […] You only win a competition when you have guys or a guy who is able to make the difference, but you only win a big competition when you have a solid defense. However, today, from Donnarumma to Ramos, passing from time to time by Marquinhos, it breaks my heart to say it, we do not have at PSG a defense which gives hope of a great performance in the Champions League. And I hope I’m wrong.”
🗣️ "Au Paris-Saint-Germain de Donnarumma en passant par Sergio Ramos, il n'y pas une défense qui laisse espérer une grande performance en Ligue des Champions"
Jean-Michel Larqué n'est pas convaincu par la défense parisienne depuis le début de la saison. pic.twitter.com/4FE5hot0iV
— Rothen s'enflamme (@Rothensenflamme) January 20, 2023
PSG’s defense hasn’t performed well and is a vital weakness on the team, which is why many hope that the possible transfer of Inter Milan’s Milan Škriniar can occur before the January transfer window closes.
Adding Škriniar will move everyone down one spot on the depth chart. However, if a transfer doesn’t occur this month, then not many will be sold on the French giants’ defense to be lifting the Champions League trophy at the end of the season.
