What PSG should do to dominate the world

by Mmasekepe Matsebane

Paris Saint-Germain’s two Uefa Champions League draws against Barcelona are forcing the world of football to sit up and take notice of the French side

Les Parisiens: A French revolution is brewing. PSG is not far from big sides such as Barcelona and Manchester United.

Not many gave the Carlo Ancelotti side when Les Parisiens were draws against the mighty Blaugrana in the quarter finals. Experts and pundits suggested that Barcelona would tear the team that plays its matches at Parc des Princes.

Although it was not enough, the French side is one of the few sides that have not lost to Barcelona in recent times, in fact, they are the only team.

Barcelona has been made as a measuring stick in world football and if a side claims to be good, they are always measured against Tito Vilanova’s side.

PSG played two matches and matched the Lionel Messi inspired Barcelona pound for pound and many are not even aware that the PSG project was only started about 20 months ago.

To prove their worth and to show that they are building, PSG went for players who were not really established. Thiago Silva and Zlatan Ibrahimovic were the only two well known players brought in to give the team stability.

The team, which is bankrolled by the Qatar Investment Authority led by President Nasser Al-Khelaifi went for players who were still establishing themselves like Ezequel Lavezzi, Javier Pastore, Lucas Moura, Blaise Matuidi, Mamadou Sakho and Gregory van der Wiel. The team recently added David Beckham to add to their firing ranks.

The current project looks to be a great success as PSL finished second last season and are title elect as they are sitting top of the French League 1, with 64 points from 31 games, six points above second placed Olympique de Marseille. 

Ancelotti’s side has already conquered France and with a great showing in the Champions League, it looks like it is only a matter of seasons before they can do the same outside their borders.

International media has already linked Les Parisiens to go on a big spending spree in June and names like Wayne Rooney, Yaya Toure, Neymar were speculated to be on the radar of the filthy rich side.

The club is also plotting a huge summer bid for Tottenham Hotspurs man of the moment Gareth Bale.

Although this sounded like wishful thinking, PSG also made inquiries about the availability of Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho and sources have said that Al-Khelaifi is prepared to spend in the region of more than £80m for the two influential men, a deal that could shatter all deals ever made it the world of sports.

PSG is well placed to rival anyone in the next two years provided they keep Ancelotti and also make re-enforcements where needed.

The side looks thin in the defensive midfield position, the creative position just behind the D, two wingers for both sides and two clinical finishers.

Manchester City went on a huge spending spree, so it wouldn’t be a huge deal if PSG does the same.

Kenyan Viera: At only 21, Victor Wanyama has put good displays for Celtic, propelling is status as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world.

Another Viera: In Paul Pogba, PSG will certainly be unstoppable. The 20 year old has been in fine form for the Old Lady in Italy.

Victor Wanyama and Paul Pogba are two players who can do well to help Matuidi in that defensive midfield role. They have earned their badges at Celtic and Juventus respectively.Wanyama proved his class when he helped Celtic beat Barcelona in Glasgow, keeping Xavi and Iniesta quiet all night and scoring the winner. Pogba also showed some brilliance for France against Spain in their World Cup qualifier.

The Magician: at only 20, Mario Gotze is the best playmaker in Germany.

 A player that is interesting for the playmaker role at PSG is Borrussia Dortmund’s Mario Gotze. The young Germany international has great trickery and his vision will see predatory strikers like Ibrahimovic benefit.

Best Of The Best: Hatem Ben Arfa has proved to be bigger than Newcastle United. A move to PSG might see him finally recognised.

On the wings, the side should go for either Gareth Bale or Hetem Ben Arfa for the left  and bring back Frank Ribery back to France to help Lucas on the right. Ben Arfa has already opened the door, revealing that he won't hesitate if PSG comes calling.

Shushhh: Frank Ribery has done it all in Germany, a move back to France will mean no harm for the powerful winger.

Best In The World? Gareth Bale too has proved to be bigger than Tottenham Hostpurs and a Uefa medal will see him rival Ronaldo and Messi. PSG is plotting a mega deal for him.

There are a lot of quality players that PSG can choose from. Samuel Eto’O seems to be forgotten already and PSG can be the place for him to reclaim his title as the goal king. The French side can do with his clinical strikes and having played with Ibrahimovic at Barcelona, it is almost certain that the two men can be deadly.

Me? There is no team that can go wrong with the greatest, Bastian Shweinsteiger in their team. The German international can do with a change is scenery and a bigger role.

 Adding to that should be a young striker, probably Pato from Ac Milan. The striker has been unlucky with injuries and with Aancelotti the man who brought him to Milan as a teenager, maybe the former Champions League winning manager can still get the best of the Brazilian who has been unlucky with niggling injuries.

Where It All Began: Ronaldinho cut his teeth at European football with PSG and it is there that he became a star that we know today. A shocking return will not harm anyone.

It is however, wishful to think the players mentioned will leave famous leagues such as English Premier League, Italian Serie A for the lesser known and less attractive French League 1, but as Russia, MLS in the USA and China have shown, if the money is good players will join.

The Forgotten One: He may be forgotten, but Samuel Eto'o still remains one of the best scorers. PSG can benefit from his experience and big match temperament.

While at it, why not bring the fantastic Ronaldinho back to the side that made him a world star? Who knows, he might rediscover that devastating form.

Unlucky: The former AC Milan striker, with with AC Milan was unlucky not to be a big star. A move back to Europe might do his career a world of good.

Expect PSG to be a force in less than five years, but hold up, I am not their Director of Football, Leonardo of Brazil is, so this is me being me. What makes matters worse is that chances of them hiring me for that position are minus 500, meaning it is dead impossible.

Share your thoughts on our posts. Do you see PSG becoming a big player in world football? Email to mokgalakamo@gmail.com