Ligue 1 was something of a walk in the park for Paris Saint Germain last season. Laurent Blanc’s side lost only 3 times as they secured their 4th top-flight title and 2nd in as many seasons. Monaco were their closest competitors, finishing 9 points behind the Parisian side, but the sale to Real Madrid of star performer James Rodríguez significantly weakens Les Rouges et Blanc. Marseille have appointed Marcelo Bielsa in a bid to return to the summit of France’s top tier, while Lyon are expected to strengthen before the close of the transfer window in order to re-establish themselves as the commanding force they were not so long ago.
Unless the trio spend big between now and transfer deadline day, however, PSG will remain huge favourites to re-assert their supremacy in the upcoming campaign. They signalled their intentions for the season when, back in June, they confirmed the acquisition of David Luiz for a fee in the region of £40m.
Fans took to Twitter to question PSG’s decision to spend big on a player who is as capable of the spectacular as he is the ridiculous. Nevertheless, Blanc now has Brazil’s starting centre-back pairing at his disposal as the French outfit aim to not only dominate in France, but Europe as well. PSG crashed out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage in the last two seasons, and they will be looking to go further in the competition this time around.
A stronger backline provides them the opportunity to improve on their recent showings in Europe’s elite tournament. PSG shipped fewer goals (23) than any other team in Ligue 1 last season, while only Lille (9) conceded fewer shots per game than the Parisian outfit (9.7). The defending champions are stronger than any team in France at present, so bolstering the backline was done with a view to progressing further in the Champions League.
With Alex departing for Milan, a new centre-back was needed and while Luiz has his critics - all the more so when taking into account the money spent to secure his signature - he is still a capable defender alongside a calming influence. When paired with compatriot and now teammate Thiago Silva, Luiz proved his worth at Brazil 2014, but when handed the captain's armband in Brazil's 7-1 defeat to Germany, he was clearly overawed by the occasion, turning out a sub-standard performance.
Prior to his poor display against the eventual world champions, the 27-year-old had an impressive 2014 World Cup, winning possession more times in the defensive third (30) than any other player and earning a commendable WhoScored rating (7.35). His approach is considered reckless by some, but alongside a more mature centre-back in defence, Luiz is capable of breaking rank to successfully dispossess the opposition, which will benefit PSG as they look to exert their dominance in Ligue 1 once again.
France’s top team averaged more possession (64.6%) than any other team in Ligue 1, while only Bayern Munich (71.2%) and Barcelona (67.7%) had more in Europe. That figure will likely increase with Luiz at the back, provided he can keep a cool head in defence. PSG captain and defensive partner Silva is expected to keep him on a tight leash, thus minimising the chances of Luiz committing one of his infamous costly mistakes.
With a statistically calculated style of play of ‘likes to dribble’, Luiz will look to bring the ball forward when possible, which could aid PSG’s superiority, but this naturally increases the likelihood of a mishap. Provided he does not commit any costly errors in the process, Luiz carrying possession out from the back would help instigate attacks, something PSG perhaps could not do to great effect last season with Blanc reliant on the technically inferior Silva and Alex at the back. With Luiz also boasting a strength of ‘passing’, he is able to pick out his creative teammates, but Blanc must apply caution to not allow the Brazilian too much freedom in such a key area of the pitch.
The money spent to bring in Luiz means PSG have limited funds to strengthen elsewhere, though that did not stop them from bringing in another defender in the form of Serge Aurier. The Ivorian made a name for himself at Toulouse, but due to Financial Fair Play stipulations, Aurier is only on loan at the Parc des Princes for the season, though PSG have the option to sign him permanently next summer.
Barring a significant downturn in form or a serious injury, however, PSG are likely to take up that option. Christophe Jallet has been sold to Lyon, while ongoing concerns surrounding Gregory van der Wiel’s knee mean Aurier will be first choice right-back in Paris. Only Zlatan Ibrahimovic (7.80) bettered Aurier’s WhoScored rating (7.43) of every PSG player last season, reflecting the quality of the Ivorian’s performances in Ligue 1.
The right-back brings a goal threat to Paris, highlighted in that of all defenders in Europe's top 5 leagues last season, only Ricardo Rodriguez (14) directly contributed to more goals than Aurier (12). Meanwhile, in France's top tier, only Florent Balmont (46) put in more accurate crosses (excluding corners) in the 2013/14 campaign than Aurier (36). His fine delivery from open play is one of the many reasons PSG took the player to the capital as the right-back can provide an attacking threat from deep; a necessity in Blanc’s, at times narrow, 4-3-3 setup.
Aurier averaged more tackles per game (2.8) than every PSG player last season, while only Jallet (2.5) and Silva (2.3) made more interceptions per game than the young right-back (2.2). Adept both when attacking and defending, Aurier strengthens an already dependable backline and his acquisition heightens their chances of winning a 3rd successive Le Championant, not to mention increasing the possibility of progressing further in the Champions League than they have done in the last two seasons.
With Alex signing for Milan and Jallet joining Lyon, PSG needed reinforcements and in Luiz and Aurier, they are indeed stronger defensively. PSG may have boasted the best defence in France’s top tier last season, but, in the grander scheme of things, their acquisitions can be viewed as essential. Club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi is pulling no punches in his quest to see the Parisian side crowned Champions League winners.
Luiz is the big money signing of the summer, and as questionable as it may seem, one can see why Al-Khelaifi took him to Paris. His age means he is yet to reach his peak, while his European experience will improve PSG’s chances of securing Champions League glory. The marketability of Brazil’s starting centre-back pairing as the cornerstone of the defence adds further weight to the decision to bring him in.
Aurier, meanwhile, is one of the hottest defensive prospects in world football and his signing is viewed as a real coup. The 21-year-old will vastly improve PSG’s defence, and the team as a whole will profit if his pre-season friendly performances are anything to go. Evidently, Luiz and Aurier's arrivals will go a long to improving PSG defensively as the club continues their pursuit of European glory under their Qatari owners.
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