Unai Emery Building Towards PSG's European Aspirations from the Back

Unai Emery's tenure at Paris Saint-Germain began with great promise. 

The Parisians won the Trophee des Champions with a sweeping 4-1 victory over Lyon in Austria, and they followed that up with comfortable enough wins over Bastia and Metz. 

The absence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic was evident in the early fixtures, but six points out of six and zero goals conceded allayed those fears. 

A chastening defeat, 3-1 away to Monaco, was the manifestation of those flaws that had already been apparent. 

The departure of senior defender David Luiz just three days later underscored the fact that there would be a period of transition under Emery's guidance. 

With PSG slipping as many as six points behind shock leaders Nice, whispered questions began to be asked of Emery. 

He acknowledged that criticism with a note to PSG supporters on Remembrance Day, as reported by CulturePSG (in French), saying, "our first season together has not been as good as we had hoped." 

However, Emery's mandate upon being appointed to replace Laurent Blanc was to do what is necessary to become more effective and competitive in Europe. 

If the club's generous owners were satisfied with collecting domestic silverware, Blanc would have retained his position.

Qatar Sports Investments wants more and, to that end, an early-season wobble that failed to threaten their progress out of a relatively weak Champions League group was never likely to undermine Emery. That is, as long as progress was being made.  

Michel Euler/Associated Press

PSG seek to break up the cabal of European superclubs who take turns to hold the Champions League title. 

Since Porto in 2004, only Chelsea have been a first-time Champions League winner and Paris' clear goal is to join that list. 

Their midfield is overflowing with quality. 

Marco Verratti, Blaise Matuidi and Angel Di Maria are top-class players with the quality to win a European title. Di Maria, of course, already has with Real Madrid in 2014. 

In that area of the pitch, PSG are comparable with any of Europe's finest sides. In order to genuinely threaten to win that so-far-elusive European Cup, though, they must improve in both attack and defence. 

For Emery, that begins at the back.

In each of his three seasons, Emery's Sevilla produced effective, rather than smothering, defences. Never among Spain's meanest sides, nor their most porous, Sevilla conceded an average of 49 league goals per year. 

His philosophy demands that his defenders begin, and often finish, attacking moves. 

In last season's Europa League final, Liverpool were overwhelmed in part by the excellence of full-backs Sergio Escudero and Mariano Ferreira. 

Emery demands that his defence serves as the first line of attack, launching thoughtful long passes or surging runs immediately as the ball is won back. 

Layvin Kurzawa's magnificent early-season form has faded somewhat, but he remains one of Europe's most effective attacking full-backs. 

Emery, the same coach who coaxed brilliance out of Alberto Moreno at Sevilla and Jordi Alba at Valencia, has helped Kurzawa reach a new level this season.

In late August, ESPN observed that none of his team-mates had benefited as much from Emery's influence.   

On the other flank, Serge Aurier has the ability to be comparably effective, but off-field concerns have stifled his progress so far. 

The emergence of Presnel Kimpembe has also been of great importance. 

Kamil Zihnioglu/Associated Press

His recent contract extension, which will keep him with PSG through 2021, boosts his wages 21-fold. That handsome salary bump has been met with incredulity in many circles but is in keeping with his hugely increased significance to the club. 

The departure of Luiz on the final day of the winter transfer window meant that Kimpembe was suddenly the back-up to both Thiago Silva and Marquinhos. 

The Brazilian duo remains first-choice but cannot be expected to play every game in what will undoubtedly be another busy season for Les Parisiens.

Kimpembe's development takes on added urgency. 

In the Samuel Umtiti mould, Kimpembe is a positive and energetic defender who likes to carry possession out of defence and spread the ball wide quickly. 

He keeps his eye on the ball and is not easily bamboozled by quick-footed trickery. 

A risk-taker with the ball at his feet, Kimpembe has been emboldened by early successes and is clearly playing with great confidence. 

Still fired by youthful enthusiasm, he has a penchant for abandoning his position if he thinks he can seize the ball. More often than not, in Ligue 1, he has been successful. European opponents will punish that exuberance. 

These are, though, minor flaws to be polished under Emery's auspices and alongside the exemplary Silva. 

Make no mistake, Kimpembe is a rough diamond. 

With Emery's avowed belief in squad rotation, Kimpembe is certain to see plenty of playing time and continue to grow. 

The departure of such huge influences as Ibrahimovic and Luiz meant that there would likely be a difficult teething period for the new manager. 

While results have improved, performances are not yet at ideal levels. 

After a 3-0 win over Basel in October, Adrien Rabiot admitted that the scoreline flattered his side. According to the AP (h/t The Record), Rabiot conceded that "our defence wasn't always in place." 

That lack of organisation is far from ideal but is likely resultant of players still learning their roles in a new system. 

In time, the manager can resolve those issues. 

The statistical achievements of Emery's work-in-progress defence are worthy of recognition. 

"

5 - Only @PSG_English (8) and @ChelseaFC (6) collected 2016/17 more clean sheets than @FCBayernEN, @VfLWolfsburg_EN and @Eintracht. Walls. pic.twitter.com/Mcov3sF2b3

— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) November 9, 2016"

Since the 2-0 defeat to Toulouse in September, PSG have conceded just one goal in five games and are on track to concede just 22 this season. 

"

6 - Fewest goals conceded in Europe's top 5 leagues this season:
Bayern 6
Tottenham 6
Villarreal 7
RB Leipzig 7
FC Köln 7
PSG 7
Submarine pic.twitter.com/4llSEG93tj

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) November 7, 2016 "

For any club seeking to be a genuine threat to win the Champions League, defensive solidity is vital. The capacity to switch rapidly into an attacking posture also helps separate the realistic contenders.

ESPN's Jonathan Johnson suggests that the capital club are unlikely to seek an additional defender in the winter window. 

The evidently improved performances of the defensive unit supports that idea, but there are numerous options if Emery should choose to look outside for reinforcements.

Benfica's Swedish centre-back Victor Lindelof and Roma's German defender Antonio Rudiger are among the club's reported targets, according to French sources Foot01.com and FootLegende.fr, respectively. 

Both are young, well-rounded and full internationals in whom there is significant interest. 

Whether Emery chooses to continue with his impressive but small defensive contingent and focus on improving them through coaching or opts to supercharge that group with a new signing, PSG's defence remains a work in progress. 

It already ranks among Europe's best in terms of statistics, but it does not yet pass the eye test. 

Emery must continue to improve his back line. His PSG career depends on it.