Why Starting Marquinhos Can Help Paris Saint-Germain Improve Defensively in 2015

After 20 games in Ligue 1, Paris Saint-Germain have only conceded 17 goals this season. Conceding at a rate below one goal per game is a good defensive record by any team’s standards, but still, all isn’t well within the PSG ranks.

With the Parisian club currently fourth in the league, there is obviously room for improvement all over the field, but making some tweaks defensively could give the current Ligue 1 champions a solid foundation to try to mount a title challenge.

One of the biggest concerns for coach Laurent Blanc this season is the form of Brazilian centre-back Thiago Silva. When he joined from AC Milan in 2012, the 27-year-old was imperious for both club and country. Very few players found a way past Silva, and instantly PSG looked formidable at the back.

David Ramos/Getty Images

At the end of last season, Silva took his foot off the gas, saving himself for the World Cup in his home country. Everything was going OK until he picked up a yellow card against Colombia, meaning he was suspended for Brazil’s semi-final against Germany.

We all know what happened next.

For PSG this season, Silva has looked vulnerable and slightly off the pace. It was apparent on the opening-day 2-2 draw with Stade de Reims, but injury against Napoli in an early season friendly ruled him out for nine league games. Once fit, Silva has tried to get his form back, but he has never quite looked as commanding.

Last season, in 28 appearances, PSG conceded just 15 goals when Thiago Silva was in the side. In his 11 appearances this campaign, the Parisians have let in 11 goals. Compare this to the nine games when Silva was out, they only allowed the opposition to score five.

Not everything comes down to the form of Silva, but it is definitely an alarming decrease in form.

USA TODAY Sports

While the 30-year-old was out, his countryman Marquinhos had the chance to spark a partnership with €50 million signing David Luiz. Despite the huge price tag hanging over Luiz’s head, both impressed, and there was even consideration that Silva would struggle to get back into the team.

There is a definite case that Marquinhos should have been allowed to continue his starting role. The confidence shown by the young centre-back helped David Luiz settle in his new surroundings. His superb performances took the focus away from the former Chelsea defender.

Since Thiago Silva’s return and subsequent drop in form, the deficiencies in David Luiz’s game have been exposed when the two have played together. Even at his best, the form of Luiz is very Jekyll and Hyde, and he needs stability and leadership in order to flourish.

If Blanc wants to save PSG’s season, he needs to involve Marquinhos as much as possible. Since Silva made his return in Week 11, the 20-year-old Brazilian has only started on three occasions. However, with Marquinhos in the first team, it would mean moving either Silva or Luiz out of the back line.

Another player whose form has dropped this season is Italian international Thiago Motta, and he could be the key to improving PSG’s performances in 2015. There is a call for playing Marco Verratti in the deepest midfield role beside Blaise Matuidi and either Yohan Cabaye or Adrien Rabiot, but David Luiz could give Blanc an alternative option.

At times, under Jose Mourinho, David Luiz played as part of Chelsea’s midfield trio, keeping him away from the crucial defensive areas, but providing the midfield with added energy, fight and presence. Blanc could take up this option, giving Verratti more freedom to push forward and bringing the exciting Marquinhos back into the first team.

Michel Spingler/Associated Press

The pace, energy and enthusiasm of Marquinhos would also help protect PSG down the channels, using his speed to cover in behind the full-backs.

Only Saint-Etienne have conceded fewer goals than PSG this season, and it may seem harsh to criticise a team that has only allowed 17 goals in 20 games, but the signs are there that improvements can be made to the Parisian defence.

Tighten up the back four and strengthen the midfield, and there is little chance that PSG would remain fourth for very long.