Paris Saint-Germain are faced with the likely scenario of going the rest of the season without star winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (25). The Georgian winger sustained an ACL injury during last week’s win over Barcelona (4-2).
The most obvious, like-for-like replacement is Mika Godts. The Belgian winger joined from Ajax over the summer in order to bring strength and depth to the left of the attack. He was essentially the replacement for Bradley Barcola, who left to join Liverpool. Godts, however, despite joining for a significant fee (~€50m), has yet to settle. His minutes have been limited, and even during the most recent international break, he had to field questions about his difficult start to life at the Parc des Princes.
PSG to dip into the market?
In response, Godts highlighted that he had time on his side. Not now. He may now be expected to be an immediate solution to a considerable problem at PSG. He is the most natural replacement, but a lack of robustness and effectiveness means that he may not be the option chosen by Luis Enrique.
Désiré Doué is another option. The France international can play on the left, although he is more accustomed to playing on the right. He has enjoyed an incredible start to the season and notably shone against both Manchester City and Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League. Should he be repositioned in order to compensate for Kvaratskhelia’s absence, it could open up the chance for Maghnes Akliouche to get more minutes on the right.
Like Godts, Akliouche is another summer arrival. His start, following his move from AS Monaco, has been mixed. Whilst he has impressed in build-up, his end product has left a little to be desired. However, he has opened his account in Ligue 1 and now in the UCL, thanks to his bizarre goal against Manchester City. His confidence should be flowing. He may be the most logical option. Moving Ferran Torres, who has looked better through the middle, is another option at Luis Enrique’s disposal, although the Spaniard’s form has tailed off in recent weeks.
Nuno Mendes as an outside contender?
PSG could also turn to the transfer market. They could not do so until January, however. Luis Enrique has not ruled out this option, although it isn’t a given that they look to add to their squad. “No injury means that we have to sign more players,” he said last week.
Academy products Quentin Ndjantou and Senny Mayulu are also options, as is Nuno Mendes, who has started as a left-winger in certain Ligue 1 games for PSG. That option was made more credible thanks to Lucas Hernandez’s performance at left-back against Barcelona. Lucas Digne is also able to deputise for the Portugal international.