how PSG reacted when they lost the title in the Qatari era
Paris has failed in second place in Ligue 1 this season, behind Lille. Since the arrival of the Qatari owners ten years ago, this is the third time that the championship has escaped the club of the capital. The first two times, the failure had resulted in a spectacular transfer window the following summer …
He came to speak immediately. To evacuate disappointment, dispel doubts and provide perspective. By sketching the outlines of a summer that promises to be agitated at PSG. After the loss of the title to Lille on Sunday evening, Nasser Al-Khelaïfi sent some important messages. Obviously disappointed by the performance of his team, the president of the capital club has promised movement in the coming months. « We will talk with Leonardo and the coach (Mauricio Pochettino) about what we need to do. We have already started to work, explained the 47-year-old manager. We are an ambitious project and we will have ambitions this been. Even financially. «
A very clear position, which will obviously be adjusted depending on the outcome of the Kylian Mbappé case. Nearly one year from the end of his contract, the 2018 world champion has still not decided whether or not to extend. His departure would completely change the situation and force Paris to strike hard on the transfer market. But even if he decides to stay, the semi-finalists of the last Champions League could try to achieve some significant blows.
Zlatan and Thiago Silva to take a step forward
In any case, this is what has happened each time PSG has lost the title since the arrival of the Qatari owners in the summer of 2011. It has happened twice. The first time, in 2012, it was Olivier Giroud’s Montpellier which deprived the Parisians of the coronation. In the process, Thiago Silva (42 million euros) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (21 million euros) had landed with great fanfare from AC Milan, where they had just won Serie A.
Just like Ezequiel Lavezzi of Napoli (30 million euros), young Marco Verratti of Pescara (12 million euros) and Grégory van der Wiel of Ajax Amsterdam (6 million euros). What quickly dry the tears and give new impetus to the team, which at the same time separated from Nenê (Al Gharafa), Ceara (Cruzeiro), Guillaume Hoarau (DL Aerbin) or Milan Bisevac (OL).
Neymar and Mbappé to affirm the ambitions
The response was even more spectacular in 2017. After Jardim’s Monaco triumph, PSG, also marked by Barcelona’s comeback in C1, blew everything up during the summer. Neymar was snatched from Barça in the most expensive transfer in football history (222 million euros), Kylian Mbappé followed from Monaco, via a loan and a deferred payment of one year (145 million d ‘euros). Dani Alves arrived free to support the duo. And Yuri Berchiche (Real Sociedad) completed the dream cast (16 million euros). All while letting go Serge Aurier (Tottenham), Blaise Matuidi (Juventus) and Jean-Kevin Augustin (Leipzig).
It’s hard to imagine Paris spending as much as four years ago, when the Covid-19 crisis has seriously weakened its finances, like all European clubs. But the relaxation of financial fair play and its good relations with UEFA, especially since the failed Super League episode, can give it some leeway. Not to mention the possibility of selling several items with disappointing returns. One thing is certain, Leonardo’s phone may well heat up in the weeks to come.
