Paris Saint-Germain has a defensive midfielder for the foreseeable future in Manuel Ugarte. The Uruguayan chose the Ligue 1 giants over Chelsea after both clubs vied for him.
As the 22-year-old prepares for his first season in the French capital, Ugarte spoke with L’Equipe. One of the questions pertains to why he decided to go with PSG.
Ugarte notes that another high-profile Urugyuan helped influence his decision: Edison Cavani.
“We had talked about PSG with Edi, but well before contact with the club,” Ugarte told the French outlet.
“He told me about the relationship he had with his partners, the atmosphere here. He told me it’s an incredible city, a great club where there is everything. When I arrived I realized how much he is loved here.”
Manuel Ugarte 🇺🇾 sur Edinson Cavani :
« On avait parlé du PSG avec Edi, mais bien avant les contacts avec le club. Il m'avait raconté la relation qu'il entretenait avec ses partenaires, l'ambiance ici.
Il m'avait dit que c'est une ville incroyable, un super club où il y a… pic.twitter.com/oMdNzgan17
— BeFootball (@_BeFootball) August 11, 2023
The former Sporting CP star will look to be the midfielder who finally fills the shoes left behind by Thiago Motta. PSG has tried various players, but no one has consistently been able to be a quality defensive midfielder.
PSG invested €60 million, so they have a lot riding on the South American being the solution. Furthermore, he will be part of a new-look midfield, including Vitinha and Warren Zaïre-Emery.
It will be interesting to see if these three players will find chemistry in the first contest of the 2023–24 Ligue 1 season.
