5 Things That Are Holding PSG Back from Being Champions League Winners

When Paris Saint-Germain were taken over by Qatar Sports Investments in 2011, the main goal was to win the UEFA Champions League. This season was their third attempt under QSI's ownership, and while there has been progress, they do not look any closer to closing the gap between themselves and Europe’s elite.

Despite injuries and suspensions, Barcelona’s 5-1 aggregate win at the quarter-final stage showed the Parisian club just how far they still have to come.

Winning the Champions League is not an easy task. Here are five things currently holding Paris Saint-Germain back from reaching their target.

Squad Quality and Depth

Thibault Camus/Associated Press

There is no doubt that Laurent Blanc’s squad is filled with some exceptionally talented players, but to go all the way and become one of Europe’s best clubs, you need strength in depth.

Jose Mourinho’s game plan is to make sure he has two quality players in each position, and right now, PSG are not at that level.

Against Barcelona, Blanc decided to play a recovering David Luiz rather than fourth-choice centre-back Zoumana Camara.

With Marco Verratti and Thiago Motta both out of the first leg, it was up to Yohan Cabaye and Adrien Rabiot to shoulder the weight of expectation, leaving nothing on the bench.

Rabiot has undoubted potential, but Cabaye’s performances couldn’t be further from those of a Champions League winner. Strength, depth and experience are key.

Sporting Director with Direction

Jacques Brinon/Associated Press

Since Leonardo left PSG in July 2013, the club hasn't seemed to have had a long-term plan—a blueprint as to how they will grow on the field.

Something needs to change this summer, but it is unlikely anyone will come in to guide the ship. That leaves Olivier Letang to continue his role. Without a vision or a strong personality to pull it off, PSG won’t be able to make the necessary improvements to bridge the gap.

Signing players such as Paul Pogba for €80 million would be great for the image of the club, but it would do little to fill the gaps in the squad.

Remaining Dependent on Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Emilio Morenatti/Associated Press

Love him or hate him, the simple fact is Paris Saint-Germain are not going to win the Champions League with 33-year-old Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the team.

He is still a fantastic player on his day, but the way he plays doesn’t help PSG’s productivity. Javier Pastore looks a much better player when he is allowed to get into the positions Zlatan enjoys.

All too often, the movement of players is limited by where Zlatan wants to go.

He is getting older, and he isn’t at a level that allows him to affect big European games, so they will likely have to wait until he leaves before they can move on.

Financial Fair Play and How You Use It

Jon Super/Associated Press

The recent financial fair play restrictions have stopped PSG from continuing their lavish spending.

Last year, the majority of PSG’s budget was spent on David Luiz, stopping Blanc from adding strength in key area, apparently missing out on Argentina winger Angel Di Maria in the process, reported ESPN.

With the gap already existing between PSG are the teams at the very top, restrictions on how and what they are able to spend will only maintain that distance.

The Luck of the Draw

Michael Sohn/Associated Press

Three consecutive eliminations in the quarter-finals of the Champions League may not sound like progression to some fans, but in reality, progression is more about whom you play and how you play rather than how far you get.

PSG winning the Champions League will ultimately come down to the draw. If you are drawn against Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or Barcelona in one of the first two knockout rounds, you will likely fall short; if you avoid them, the possibility of going all the way increases.

There is nothing PSG can do to sway this beyond winning Ligue 1 and winning their group. After that ,they are in the hands of the football gods.