Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino has had a busy transfer window so far as the club looks to get their Ligue 1 title back and challenge for the Champions League.
So far, they have had the best transfer window out of everybody in European football with the likes of Sergio Ramos, Georginio Wijnaldum and Gianluigi Donnarumma coming into the club.
They are well placed to finally win the Champions League. However, this will heap the pressure on Mauricio Pochettino to deliver.
Time for Mauricio Pochettino to Deliver
Pressure on for PSG to Bounce Back
Last season will go down as one of the most disappointing seasons for PSG since they were taken over by the Qatar Sports Investments group.
They failed to win Ligue 1 for only the third time since the Qatari takeover. Also, they suffered a disappointing Champions League semi-final defeat to Manchester City.
Mauricio Pochettino took over from Thomas Tuchel in January 2021 but results have been mixed under the Argentine. They have won just 24 of 34 matches under him, losing seven of those games.
Home defeats to eventual champions Lille, Nantes and Monaco inevitably cost PSG the title. After a poor season, PSG have been busy in the transfer market as they look to reassert their domestic dominance and finally get the trophy they desire the most, the Champions League.
Unlike in his final season at Tottenham Hotspur, Pochettino has been backed in the transfer market. With the squad they have, there will be big expectations that he will have to handle for the first time in his managerial career.
The only teams that can stop PSG in the Champions League are likely to be the Premier League quartet and Bayern Munich. Pochettino will know that his settling-in period is over and it is time to deliver in Paris.
Gianluigi Donnarumma New First-Choice Keeper
PSG completed the signing of Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma as their new number one keeper. It is incredible that they have managed to sign a top keeper like Donnarumma on a free transfer from AC Milan.
The 22-year-old was one of the players of the tournament at Euro 2020 and will be a great addition. It is, however, unfair on current number one Keylor Navas who did nothing wrong last season. You have to feel sorry for the Chilean international who has been displaced as the number one keeper just like he did when he was at Real Madrid.
Sergio Ramos Will Add Experience to PSG Defence
The big new addition at the back is the signing of Sergio Ramos from Real Madrid on a free transfer. The Spanish international will bring vast experience to PSG’s backline.
He is also a proven winner with four Champions League titles to his name. He may be 35-years-old but certainly still has plenty to give. The signing of Ramos could well provide a strong centre-back partnership along with Brazilian defender Marquinhos.
Joining Ramos is right-back Achraf Hakimi who joins from Inter for an initial £51.3 million fee. The Moroccan was one of the key players for Inter last season as they won the Scudetto. He is one of the best right-backs in the world and at just 22-years-old he will only get better.
Incredibly, he has already played in La Liga, Bundesliga and Serie A despite his young age. He will be hoping to settle down at PSG and be a big part of their success.
Georgino Wijnaldum Will Add New Dimension to PSG Midfield
Mauricio Pochettino has strengthened his midfield with the signing of former Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum.
Wijnaldum will add valuable experience to Pochettino’s ranks. Also, the Dutchman is a more traditional box-to-box midfielder and will add a new dimension to the starting 11. As well, he will be able to complement the creative attacking play of Marco Verratti. Another bonus for PSG was the fact they were able to sign Wijnaldum for nothing.
The Parisians are also still being linked to a move for Paul Pogba. If they were to sign the French midfielder, a midfield of Pogba, Verratti and Wijnaldum would be extremely hard to stop.
Star-Studded Attack
So far, PSG haven’t brought anyone to strengthen their attack. However, when you have the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, Angel Di Maria and Mauro Icardi, that may be the reason why.
The big concern for Pochettino will be trying to persuade Mbappe to say in Paris. The young French superstar has been constantly linked to a move to Real Madrid. Winning the Champions League will be a key factor in whether Mbappe decides to sign a new contract.
Pochettino will know that and it will add even more pressure to deliver this season. Considering the quality that PSG has had this season may finally be the year that they win the Champions League.
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