Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint Germain are the SBOTOP favourites to win the league again in 2023, but European glory is what the club’s Qatari owners are really after.
The appointment of former Nice and Lilles head coach Christophe Galtier is set to usher in a new era at the Parc des Princes. He managed Lille to the 2021 league title, an unthinkable outcome for former Paris boss Mauricio Pochettino whose demise became inevitable after another Champions League miss.
Galtier will already be scheming to win at home and abroad, and his opening XI when PSG travel to Clermont on the opening weekend will give us an insight into his thinking.
In the meantime here are the players I’d send over the white line to start the new campaign.
Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma
Following his move from his boyhood club AC Milan last year, Donnarumma hoped to make the number one jersey his own; but he shared the responsibility with the experienced Keylor Navas as PSG marched to another title. A commanding presence and a fine shot stopper I would expect the 23 year old to establish himself as the first choice stopper this season.
Right back: Achraf Hakimi
Moroccan wingback Hakimi arrived from Italy at the same time as Donnarumma, and he had an impressive first campaign after switching from Inter Milan. He scored four goals in 32 appearances and, trained as a winger, he has an impressive range of long passes as well as a dangerous cross.
Centre back: Marquinhos
28 year old skipper Marquinhos is a shoe-in at centre back having made 232 appearances for the club since his arrival in 2013. The 34m Euros PSG paid Roma to sign him was the highest recorded for a teenager at the time, and he was a popular choice of captain following the departure of Thiago Silva.
Centre back: Presnel Kimpembe
The vastly experienced Sergio Ramos is the main back up to the centre back pairing but the 26 year old France international Kimpembe is the natural choice to partner Marquinhos. As vice captain he is a well respected figure on and off the pitch and a reassuring figure behind the attacking front six.
Left back: Nuno Mendes
After a hugely successful season on loan at the Parc des Princes, Nuno Mendes has made his move permanent by signing a four year deal to confirm his transfer from Sporting Lisbon. PSG had no hesitation in activating his release clause and have paid out £34m to sign their man. He was named in the 2022 Ligue 1 team of the year and looks set to be a big player again this year.
Right midfield: Giorginio Wijnaldum
Another of the 2021 arrivals, Gigi Wijnaldum, made 31 appearances last season and will most likely feature in Galtier’s opening team. With over 80 caps for the Netherlands the former Liverpool midfielder is an experienced campaigner with the ability to open up a defence with a clever run or killer ball.
Centre midfield: Marco Verratti
Italian midfield general Verratti has been at PSG for a decade and is one of the first names on the team sheet. He has made 247 appearances for Paris and 49 for the Azzurri and as a quick, highly skilled player with a brilliant positional sense and fierce tackle, he is the model midfielder.
Left midfield: Vitor Ferreira
Paris fans are hoping to see some spectacular Ligue 1 2022 highlights from the club’s new signing, Ferreira, who has signed from Porto for a fee of around 40m Euros. The 22 year old has penned a five year deal and looks set to be a replacement for the unsettled Julian Draxler.
Right attack: Lionel Messi
At 35 years of age the great Leo Messi would love to add a Champions League medal with PSG to the four he won at Barcelona. One of the most gifted players the world has ever seen, Messi is still the magician is a star studded side. One moment of genius from the Argentine can win any game and he remains box office stuff.
Centre attack: Kylian Mbappe
One of the biggest surprises in Paris, as well as Spain, was the choice of Kylian Mbappe to stay at the Parc des Prices rather than joining European champions Real Madrid. But his decision has been taken and he makes PSG a much better team. With 106 goals from 115 games the 23 year old is virtually unstoppable.
Left attack: Neymar
And it looks like Neymar too is ready to pull on the PSG shirt once again. The Brazilian has activated an extension in his contract to take him to the end of the 2026/27 season and that means he’ll surely be in the opening line-up against Clermont. Of course, the Ligue 1 2022 betting odds will back another PSG triumph in the domestic league but with a front three of Neymar, Mbappe and Messi the European crown is once again the target.
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