5 Youngsters to Watch out for in the PSG Academy
In recent years, Paris Saint-Germain’s youth academy has produced the likes of French internationals Mamadou Sakho and Clement Chantome. Despite the departure of the highly rated Kingsley Coman for Juventus this summer and current gem Adrien Rabiot’s attempts to leave before the end of the summer transfer window, the PSG youth ranks remain fruitful.
Current academy graduates in les Parisiens’ first team include Chantome, Jean-Christophe Bahebeck and goalkeepers Mike Maignan and Mory Diaw. However, there are a handful of star homegrown products currently out on loan in both Ligue 1 and Ligue 2.
A number of young guns were on show during this summer’s pre-season friendlies, with the likes of Presnel Kimpembe, Franck-Yves Bambock, Romuald Lacazette and Anthony Petrilli all making an impression. Although almost all of PSG’s youth-academy graduates find it difficult to break into the starting XI, the signs are that a number of top talents are on their way up the ladder.
Here are five names to watch out for in the near future.
5. Romain Habran
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Currently on loan at second-tier side FC Sochaux-Montbeliard, gifted creative midfielder Romain Habran is yet to make a single appearance for PSG. The 20-year-old Frenchman preferred to gain regular match practice with les Lionceaux than spend another season in the Parisian youth ranks.
Habran has featured four times for Sochaux so far this term and appears to be a key part of coach Olivier Echouafni’s plans at Stade Bonal.
A full Ligue 2 campaign will help the youngster push for a chance at youth international level and it could also see him included in next season’s senior side at PSG, or loaned out to a Ligue 1 side.
4. Jordan Ikoko
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Also yet to make a single appearance for PSG at senior level, versatile defender Jordan Ikoko (pictured left) is spending his second season out on loan. After a spell with US Creteil-Lusitanos last campaign, the 20-year-old is spending this term with Havre AC
Ikoko has been a regular at every level of youth football for France so far and is currently an under-21 international. He was part of squad that reached the final of the 2013 UEFA European under-19 Championship final before losing 2-1 to Serbia, and also part of the French squad that lost 5-2 to Brazil in the final of this summer’s Toulon Tournament.
Ikoko penned a new contract with PSG, tying him to the club until 2017, before departing for Le Havre.
3. Youssouf Sabaly
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Another player who has not made a single appearance in PSG’s senior side so far is Youssouf Sabaly. However, the versatile 21-year-old full-back already has one full season of first-team experience with Ligue 1 side Evian Thonon Gaillard under his belt and he is back in Annecy for a second spell.
Like Ikoko, Sabaly is also a regular for France at youth level and was part of the team that won the FIFA under-20 World Cup in Turkey last year. He was one of three PSG representatives in that side and also played an important part in Laurent Blanc’s early pre-season plans before the decision was made to send him out on loan once again.
Before departing for his second stint with Evian, Sabaly signed a new contract that keeps him at the Parc des Princes until 2018.
2. Hervin Ongenda
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The name of PSG attacking prodigy Hervin Ongenda is not new to French football fans; the talented 19-year-old’s potential has been a source of excitement for some time inside and outside of the capital. However, in order for the French under-21 international to fully develop, his parent club decided that it would be best to farm him out on loan this season after only making six first-team appearances last season.
Ongenda has been sent to link up with former PSG assistant coach Claude Makelele in his new role as head coach of fellow Ligue 1 side SC Bastia. There, the Paris native will get the chance to experience regular first-team football, something that Blanc could not guarantee him this campaign.
Like Ikoko and Sabaly, Ongenda has also penned a new contract, tying himself to the club until 2017 back in March.
1. Alphonse Areola
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Arguably the greatest current PSG youth-academy talent is goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, who is also on loan at Bastia with Ongenda thanks to Makelele’s contacts with the capital club. The 21-year-old shot-stopper spent last season on loan at RC Lens in Ligue 2 and excelled, earning a move to Corsica with the Northerners unable to make any new signings this summer.
Areola was a part of France’s under-20 World Cup success last year, playing a key role by saving Uruguay’s first two penalties in the final, and earned his chance to play regular first-team football under former PSG boss Antoine Kombouare with les Sang et Or.
A string of impressive performances at Stade Felix-Bollaert did temporarily raise the question of whether or not les Parisiens would consider keeping him in the capital this season, but the Ligue 1 titleholders quickly decided that another season of regular action was needed.
Before leaving for Bastia, Areola extended his stay with PSG until 2019, and he is expected to eventually usurp current first-choice goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu as the capital club’s starter.
