Season Preview #13: Paris Saint-Germain

With the 2024-25 season nearing, we’re reviewing every team in the league, giving you all you need to become a Ligue 1 expert. From now until the season kicks off on August 16, we’ll preview two clubs daily, breaking down their key moves and how the season will likely unfold for them.

Paris Saint-Germain

Founded: 1970

Stadium: Parc des Princes

Nicknames: Les Parisiens; Les Rouge-et-Bleu

Manager: Luis Enrique (second season)

The 54-year-old coached for the first time in France this past 2023-24 season. Despite being a newbie in French football, Enrique won three trophies domestically in his first campaign: Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and the Trophée des Champions. The Spaniard also took PSG to the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League, falling one round short of the final. Enrique coached 53 matches last season for the Parisians, winning 34 matches and he'll look to follow up his impressive first year.

Last season: 1st (76 points)

Cult hero: Marquinhos

The 30-year-old has been with PSG since 2013 when he joined the club from AS Roma. Marquinhos has not only established himself as a key player for the reigning Ligue 1 champions, but he has also taken on the role of captain for the squad. In April 2024, the Brazilian etched himself in PSG history, becoming the club's all-time leader in appearances, surpassing Jean-Marc Pilorget.

Key arrivals:

After securing Gonçalo Ramos last year, PSG have secured another SL Benfica youngster for the second summer in a row with the arrival of João Neves. The 19-year-old broke into the Portuguese club in 2022 and made 75 appearances while scoring four goals and recording three assists. PSG will have a young midfield as Neves joins a group that includes Vitinha (24) and Warren Zaïre-Emery (18).

Willian Pacho is another young player who arrived this summer as the Ecuadorian helps bolster PSG's defense. The 22-year-old spent last season with Eintracht Frankfurt, making 44 appearances across all competitions for the German club while recording two assists.

Key departure:

Kylian Mbappé, PSG's all-time leading scorer, left the Parisians this summer after eight years to join Real Madrid. The 25-year-old made 308 total appearances for the capital club, scoring 256 goals while registering 108 assists. Last season, Mbappé scored 44 goals across all competitions for PSG, so Enrique and his team will have to figure out how to replace that goal-scoring production.

Season outlook:

PSG will have a young team this 2024-25 season as the average age of the squad is 23.7 and they'll have to replace their all-time leading goal scorer. The Parisians will be counting on players like Ramos (23), Kang-in Lee (23), Bradley Barcola (21), and Nuno Mendes (22) to continue growing and take prominent roles on this squad. Like any young team, there will be growing pains, but the Parisians have Enrique on the sidelines to guide the squad and look to win a fourth straight Ligue 1 title.

Likely XI (4-3-3): Donnarumma, Hakimi, Pacho, Marquinhos, Mendes, Neves, Zaïre-Emery, Vitinha, Barcola, Dembélé, and Ramos

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