Paris Saint-Germain’s goalkeeping pecking order is once again under sharp focus after an unconvincing start to the domestic season. Matvei Safonov, who played a major part in the club’s European triumph last term, is now facing heavy scrutiny following a string of below-par displays in goal.
Pressure is building on Safonov after the defeat to Monaco.
According to L’Equipe, the debate over the number one position at the Parc des Princes has resurfaced after a difficult sequence of results for the reigning French champions. Attention intensified following a surprise 2-1 home loss to AS Monaco, when Safonov’s positioning came under question for the decisive goal scored by the visitors.
Although the entire defensive unit has looked vulnerable, the “giant of Krasnodar” is increasingly being seen as the weak point in a side that has failed to win any of its opening three Ligue 1 matches. Luis Enrique, who had earlier shown his ruthless side by replacing Gianluigi Donnarumma with Lucas Chevalier, now appears to be at a key decision point over his team selection.
Chevalier is waiting for his chance.
The present situation could hand a fresh opportunity to Chevalier, who has spent almost the whole calendar year out of action. The 24-year-old French goalkeeper has not played a competitive match since the penalty shootout win over Marseille in the Trophee des Champions in January. In spite of his lack of recent game time, Chevalier remains with the first-team squad and is ready to win back the starting place he previously held.
The rivalry between the two goalkeepers is not new at the Paris club, where the goalkeeping spot has often been the subject of intense discussion during the QSI era. A possible return for Chevalier would mark yet another change in a hierarchy that has remained unsettled under Enrique.
Enrique remains defiant despite the results.
In spite of growing demands for a change, Enrique has publicly backed his team’s displays, maintaining that the results have not reflected the level of their performances. Speaking after the Monaco defeat, he gave a frank verdict on the match. “I’m pleased with what I’ve seen,” Enrique said. “It’s the beginning of the season. We’re not at our best yet, but we deserved to win this match.”
The Spaniard also pointed to the mental side of his squad’s current situation. “How do I explain it? Football is sometimes inexplicable. I’d like to highlight the players’ mentality. It will be an exciting championship. We need to prepare for the future.”
A season of high stakes for PSG’s goalkeepers.
The timing of this latest problem is especially uncomfortable for the club, as it has come straight after the announcement of major contract extensions for the manager and several important first-team players. The project was supposed to rest on stability, but the absence of a clear, consistently high-performing goalkeeper now threatens to disrupt that progress. Safonov’s drop in form has effectively brought to an end the honeymoon period that followed his contribution to the club’s “back-to-back” title triumphs.
As PSG get ready for their European opener against Slovan Bratislava, the goalkeeper selection will provide a strong indication of Enrique’s level of trust. If Safonov keeps his place in the starting XI, he will be under huge pressure to keep a clean sheet and silence his critics.
