Grading Paris Saint-Germain's Summer Signings on Form So Far This Season
After the arrival of Unai Emery, Paris Saint-Germain were expected to go big this summer in order to take on Europe’s finest and push into the last four of the UEFA Champions League.
That didn’t quite happen, and although money was spent, it perhaps wasn’t to the level many were expecting or on the players needed to make that jump.
Hatem Ben Arfa arrived on a free transfer after a stunning season with OGC Nice; Grzegorz Krychowiak reunited with his former boss, moving from Sevilla to Paris for a reported £34 million.
Spanish forward Jese Rodriguez joined from Real Madrid for €25 million, and with a reported fee of €7 million, Belgium international defender Thomas Meunier moved to Ligue 1.
That’s the best part of £60 million to strengthen the squad, plus the £13.5 million to sign Giovani Lo Celso from Rosario Central, but he would return to Argentina on loan.
No one from the list above has a genuine pedigree in the Champions League, and with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, David Luiz, Gregory van der Wiel and Salvatore Sirigu no longer in the squad, although still talented, it’s an inexperienced team.
Two months and eight games into the new league campaign, the international break gives us the perfect opportunity to measure how Emery’s new signings have performed.
Hatem Ben Arfa
The local boy wanted to kick things off with a bang, but it was more like a damp squib in the Trophee des Champions opener against Olympique Lyonnais.
His team-mates were excellent, but Ben Arfa, playing as a false nine, failed to get himself involved in the thick of the action. He was perhaps fortunate to get on the scoresheet, although it was a good finish.
It was the same against Bastia, but as his team struggled, the spotlight brightened on the playmaker. He struggled and made way for Jese to make his debut after 65 minutes.
Emery took a stance on the Frenchman’s effort in training, and he was made to train alone, dumped from the first-team squad.
"He still came to see us this evening in the dressing room, to say congratulations," Adrien Rabiot told journalists in the mixed zone, following the 3-0 home win over Dijon. "He was smiling. I can tell you that things are going well. Of course it cannot be easy to be snubbed like that and unable to participate with your teammates. He is a guy who works hard, though, and when he gets his chance I have no doubt he will deliver."
After posting on Instagram that he was up for the fight, he picked up an injury after he was included in the squad against Ludogorets. He played 11 minutes in the 2-0 win over Bordeaux, but things have to massively improve after the break.
GRADE D-: Must do better
Grzegorz Krychowiak
After starring with Poland at Euro 2016, there were some big expectations surrounding Krychowiak and his return to France with PSG.
He appeared on their summer trip to the USA but was allowed some extra time off to recover from the international tournament.
His debut came in the 1-1 draw at home to Saint-Etienne, and he disappointed when he started against Arsenal in the Champions League. It’s safe to say it’s been a slow introduction from the Polish midfielder.
Emery’s tactics haven’t helped. Used to the 4-2-3-1 he excelled in with Sevilla, the coach has gone to 4-3-3, and the combinations in the midfield haven’t quite worked.
"[Marco] Verratti and Krychowiak are different kinds of players. They can play together," Emery said at a news conference ahead of the Ligue 1 clash with Caen. "We need Krychowiak for his defensive work. I know Krychowiak really well. He can do more on the pitch. He also came to PSG to improve as a player and to become a top player. I know that Verratti used to play alongside Thiago Motta a lot and they are used to it. But Verratti can play together with both of them."
There is no doubting the quality of the former Stade de Reims man, but he will need to assert himself more in games if he is to improve.
GRADE D+: More to come
Jese Rodriguez
When the deal to bring the Spanish forward to Paris was confirmed, there was a doubt that he was the right man for the job. Two months in, no one is much the wiser.
After an instant impact, coming off the bench against SC Bastia to play his part in the winning goal, his contributions have been minimal.
Dreadful in his only start against Saint-Etienne, he lasted just 58 minutes. Injuries have taken their toll and stopped the striker settling into the team.
Playing just 128 minutes is no way to judge someone’s impact, and at some point he will have to turn his words into actions.
"Cavani is a great player, but I am no substitute," he told Le Parisien (via Goal.com). "We must all fight to hold [a place in the team]. I come here with the desire to play all games, although I know there are great players in Paris. I am someone who has character and likes things to [progress] quickly. [It is] up to me to prove that I deserve to play as a starter."
Despite the problems with Edinson Cavani, he is scoring goals. The slow starts from Lucas Moura and Angel Di Maria could have opened the door to make an impact from the flanks, but that has been an opportunity missed.
He added: "I will tell you my target when the season is over, but it is beyond 10 goals." For now, his target should just be to win time on the pitch.
GRADE D+: Too early to tell
Thomas Meunier
Before the start of the season, no one would have predicted Meunier would have been the best of the summer signings at this point in the season.
However, that is more to do with the others than the Belgian's performances.
After an impressive showing at Euro 2016, he made a wonderful start to his PSG career, scoring twice against Real Madrid.
Defensively, there are huge question marks; he could have done better when Saint-Etienne snatched a late equaliser at the Parc des Princes.
"I'd like Georgen to get a run for PSG at right back.
— Seb Chapuis (@SeBlueLion_EN) September 26, 2016"
But options are Meunier, and probs Marquinhos RB and Kimpembe central.
"The new signings are good. However, the recruitment was in the image of the new coach," former PSG forward Fabrice Pancrate told Yahoo Sports France. "The transfer dealings were more Europa League than Champions League, as it was before with the likes of Zlatan [Ibrahimovic], Thiago Silva and Thiago Motta."
Pancrate has a point. However, it is ironic coming from a man who scored just 10 times in four seasons for the capital club and made more appearances in the UEFA Cup than the Champions League.
Serge Aurier will give Meunier chances to play, either with injuries or suspensions; he needs to be ready at all times.
Going forward, he looks great, a natural replacement for the Ivorian, but PSG are weaker at the back when he starts.
Grade C: Looks promising
Overall, the new players have not been great. Giovani Lo Celso joins in January, and as previously discussed in this column, the way the team are playing, he could be the best signing PSG made this summer.
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