Paris Saint-Germain triumphed over FC Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League to face the Borussia Dortmund in the semi-finals. Leading up to the tie, Gianluigi Donnarumma was in solid form, but continued struggles could force Les Parisiens to look elsewhere for a goalkeeper.
Despite PSG being the favorite to advance past Dortmund, according to many international online betting casinos, the likes of Kylian Mbappé, Vitinha, Ousmane Dembélé, and Marquinhos will have to be at the top of their game. For Donnarumma, it may come down to not making a fatal mistake that could cost his team a goal or more.
The Italy international arrived via a free transfer after turning down offers to stay at AC Milan. At the time, the signing was viewed as a great bit of business for PSG. Donnarumma is widely considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world and was thought to solidify PSG’s goalkeeper position for the next decade.
However, despite statistically being a very strong goalkeeper, Donnarumma has had his fair share of struggles in key moments. Just this season, against Barcelona in the quarter-finals, Donnarumma struggled to distribute the ball and missed a clearance on a cross that cost PSG two goals. We’ve also seen him try to dribble with the ball only to get caught out and beat for a goal. For as good as Donnarumma is as a pure shot-stopper, he leaves much to be desired when it comes to contributing to PSG playing out from the back, and he can collapse under pressure.
Donnarumma is under contract under 2026 at PSG, but if he were open to a move, PSG would likely explore all options. Luis Enrique has publically supported the 25-year-old, but Donnarumma doesn’t exactly fit the style of play the manager wants to institute at the club.
In terms of a replacement, PSG have few options at the club already. Keylor Navas will likely leave when his contract expires this summer, leaving relatively unproven Arnau Tenas who joined PSG last summer.
What PSG needs is a talented goalkeeper who can apply pressure on Donnarumma and push him to be at his best, or risk being benched. Lille OSC’s Lucas Chevalier could be a player PSG could target in the transfer window. At 22 years old, Chevalier could develop under Luis Enrique and he already has a lot of the qualities that Donnarumma doesn’t, manly the ability to dribble with the ball and distribute it accurately.
Donnarumma can prove the doubters wrong by coming up huge in the semi-finals against Dortmund. However, another poor showing and PSG may be forced to look for his replacement.
