With PSG drawn into arguably the toughest group in the Champions League this year, they will find themselves competing with three new big-money signings when they face AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund, and Newcastle United.
But with big money transfers comes big pressure. Some players handle this pressure, but some can’t. And this is where PSG – who are 12/1 to win the Champions League – can prosper. Below, we look at three of the big-money signings set to face PSG this season.
Harvey Barnes – Newcastle United
Newcastle are 25/1 to win the Champions League, they are not one of the favorites with the bookmakers. They signed Harvey Barnes from Leicester City after they were relegated to the Championship from the Premier League. Leicester City are expected to immediately bounce back, with the bookmakers making them 11/5 favorites to win the title in the latest English Championship betting odds. But despite the Foxes’ expected immediate return to the English top flight from the Championship, Harvey Barnes still decided to move on, with Newcastle United now his new employers.
As a youngster, Barnes was always regarded as a good prospect. Now as a 25-year-old who has just cost Newcastle United £38 million, he will be expected to deliver. Newcastle will be looking for big things from Barnes, and it will be interesting to see how he reacts when he enters the cauldron of the Parc des Princes in a few weeks.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek – AC Milan
Ruben Loftus-Cheek has signed for AC Milan. ✍️
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 30, 2023
Another player who has spent years as a player of potential is Ruben Loftus-Cheek. But the former Chelsea man is now 27, and it’s high time he delivered on a more consistent basis.
After failing to hold down a regular place in the Chelsea team, Loftus-Cheek eventually decided his career was better served away from Stamford Bridge. He transferred to AC Milan for approximately £15 million last summer. His new club are 40/1 to win the Champions League this season.
Loftus-Cheek won’t have long to settle down and will be expected to hit the ground running. But for a 27-year-old, he is still relatively inexperienced, and this could help PSG when they meet in the Champions League.
Marcel Sabitzer – Borussia Dortmund
Marcel Sabitzer is arguably the most dangerous of all the new signings, PSG are set to face. His new club are 50/1 outsiders to win the Champions League.
The Austrian international has played on the big stage at Bayern Munich and briefly on loan at Manchester United. He shouldn’t be fazed by his move to Borussia Dortmund, which cost a reported €19 million.
But going in favor of PSG is Sabitzer’s inability to hold down a spot at an elite club. He has just transferred out of Bayern Munich, who were also happy to loan him out last season. So the jury remains out on just how good he is.
Official, completed. Marcel Sabitzer joins Manchester United on loan from Bayern 🚨🔴 #MUFC
Sabitzer: “I feel that I am at my peak as a player, and that I can contribute a lot of experience and energy to the squad. I am excited to start with my new team-mates and manager”. pic.twitter.com/wItg8idgH1
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 1, 2023
Tops players, or a level below the elite?
In conclusion, all three new signings have the potential to succeed at their new clubs. But all three have been let go for a reason. In one case, it was his team getting relegated, and the other two moved on as they couldn’t hold down a place at an elite club.
Good players, yes. But a club of the stature of PSG, playing at Champions League level, shouldn’t be getting too worried about facing them.
