4 PSG Players Who Would Benefit from a Loan Move for 2016/17
Paris Saint-Germain sent seven players out on loan in the 2015-16 season. It’s fair to say there were varying degrees of success.
Alphonse Areola made the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League with Villarreal in Spain, Lucas Digne began to rebuild his career at AS Roma in Serie A, but, then, there was the disappointing return of just one goal in 16 appearances for Jean-Christophe Bahebeck at AS Saint-Etienne.
For some players, spending time away from the bright lights of the capital works wonders. For others, it can only leave them thinking of home.
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Once he had made his full debut for PSG, Adrien Rabiot benefited greatly from his time at Toulouse in Ligue 1. Sometimes it is also down to the club and the environment rather than just the player themselves.
Here's a number of young PSG talents who would benefit from some time away from the club next season.
Presnel Kimpembe
Not that the 20-year-old isn’t good enough to play as the fourth centre-back at PSG next season, but finding increased game time would help bring him on immensely.
If PSG believe in the France under-21 international’s ability and potential, it may do him better to spend a season away from the capital.
Kimpembe made five starts in the last campaign, playing 426 minutes. He only picked up one yellow card and always looked composed and assured when given an opportunity.
There would be plenty of Ligue 1 clubs looking for a young, dominant defender and Kimpembe fits that bill.
With Thiago Silva, David Luiz and Marquinhos ahead of him, although he would be the perfect back-up for the club, it would be ideal at this stage of his career if he was able to start 15-20 games in a season.
Jean-Kevin Augustin
During the 2014/15 season, Jean-Kevin Augustin was named on the bench nine times for PSG. However, due to Laurent Blanc’s reluctance to utilise youngsters—as discussed in this column—the teenager never saw a minute of action in Ligue 1.
Last summer, the striker took full advantage of the pre-season tour, scoring five goals in four games, including a double against Fiorentina in their 4-2 International Champions Cup tour.
It was then expected that he would play a bigger role in the season ahead, especially with Bahebeck at Saint-Etienne.
Augustin would make four starts for PSG, but he was only used off the bench three times—despite being named among the substitutes on 17 occasions.
His minutes were limited, which created a situation where he always looked a little nervous and anxious. Trying too hard to impress when handed five to 10 minutes off the bench. He only scored once and at times looked a little lost.
However, Brazilian full-back Maxwell was full of praise for Augustin when talking to Loic Tanzi of Goal. “He has speed, he has power and he is physically strong,” he said. “Unfortunately, we have many attackers so he’s not had a great deal of time on the field. But each time that he’s come onto the park, he’s shown his qualities.”
Similar to Kimpembe, the 19-year-old has done nothing to show that he isn’t capable of playing as a back-up striker, but it’s hard to fairly assess his chances without a good run of minutes.
A loan move away, perhaps even to a Ligue 2 club, would do him the world of good. It’s tougher and a difficult league, but it is a wonderful breeding ground for young talent.
If he could move away from the capital and score 10-plus goals next season, it would give him a much better chance of picking up time at the Parc des Princes on his return.
Hervin Ongenda
The talent of Hervin Ongenda was touted around the same time that Kingsley Coman broke through for his brief Ligue 1 appearances, but as the winger moved on, his former PSG team-mate stayed. It hasn’t done his career any good at all.
Ongenda only played for 234 minutes during the 2013/14 campaign and then spent a season at SC Bastia on loan with limited effect. He was given 16 appearances, failed to score a goal and only played 697 minutes—he was a huge disappointment.
Last season he stayed in Paris and only made five appearances. He did score against FC Lorient, perhaps his best display in a PSG shirt, but it’s far from good enough.
Ongenda is still only 20 years old, so there is plenty of time for him to become a good footballer. He has done nothing to suggest that he has the ability to forge a career at the Parc des Princes, but that doesn’t mean he is finished.
He is fast, he likes to attack down the wing, and he is able to play down the flanks or through the middle. When in the mood, he looks bright and could be an asset to someone.
A loan spell to a Ligue 1, or even a Ligue 2 side would hopefully allow him a second chance. If he does well it could lead to a permanent move away—something that seems like an inevitability.
Odsonne Edouard
He has yet to play one second of Ligue 1 football for PSG, but the future definitely looks bright for Odsonne Edouard.
The 18-year-old was the top scorer when France won the 2015 UEFA Under-17 European Championship—scoring an incredible eight goals in five matches.
He signed his first professional deal with the club in April of 2016 and was delighted to be part of the club, per FourFourTwo.
"I'm very happy with this show of faith from the club where I learnt my trade.
It's a great honour to become a professional at this very ambitious club. I've had a great year with my team and now I've capped it off with my first professional contract.
It means a lot for me, a Parisian, to sign with Paris Saint-Germain. It’s a dream come true, but still it's just the beginning.
"
Then this season he teamed up with Augustin to help PSG reach the final of the UEFA Youth Cup—scoring three times before being beaten by Chelsea in the final.
PSG’s under-19 side also won the Championnat National in France, and Edouard looks like the real deal.
If Augustin doesn’t go out on loan next season, PSG should definitely look at helping Edouard gain more playing experience in a professional environment. Even if it was just for six months, it would give him a chance to experience the pressures that come with top-flight football.
There would undoubtedly be a plethora of clubs willing to take him on. A team like Le Havre AC in Ligue 2 would be perfect. They helped develop Paul Pogba, Riyad Mahrez and Lys Mousset, who scored 14 goals for the north-west side as they finished fourth in Ligue 2.
Under former United States head coach Bob Bradley, they are a club on the way up and would be the perfect home for a young, hungry striker like Edouard.
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