With the new Ligue 1 season due to get underway this weekend, Sports Mole takes a look at Paris Saint-Germain's chances of winning the title for a second campaign in succession.
With the Ligue 1 season beginning this weekend, Sports Mole has cast its eye over Paris Saint-Germain's summer and their prospects of retaining the title over the coming months.
In:
Edinson Cavani (Napoli), Marquinhos (Roma), Lucas Digne (Lille)
Out:
David Beckham (Retired), Kevin Gameiro (Sevilla), Diego Lugano (West Bromwich Albion), Jean-Christophe Bahebeck (Valenciennes, Loan), Alphonse Areola (Lens, Loan), Sylvain Armand (Rennes), Youssouf Sabaly (Evian, Loan), Loick Landre (Lens), Siaka Tiene (Lens), Ronan Le Crom (Retired)
Last Season: First
Manager: Laurent Blanc
Three key players:
© AP Photos
Thiago Silva - You would do well to name many better centre-backs in world football than Silva at this present moment in time. Such was the impression that he made during his first campaign in Paris, it was said to have made him the number one target of Barcelona. However, late last month, the 28-year-old committed himself to his current employers by
signing a new contract. Even though PSG have spent plenty of money this summer, they won't secure many better deals than that one. It's likely that he will also take new signing and fellow Brazilian Marquinhos under his wing during his first few months at the club.
© PA Photos
Zlatan Ibrahimovic - The Swede is one of the most gifted footballers to have ever played the game and he showed that last year with 30 goals in 34 Ligue 1 outings. In fact, it was a large reason as to why Les Parisiens were able to win the league title with ease. His talent meant that he was always going to be included among this list, but it will also be interesting to see how he shares the limelight with £60m signing Edinson Cavani. 'Big Zlatan' comes across as the sort of man that would not give up his Fruit Pastilles, let alone space on the football pitch.
© AP Photos
Edinson Cavani - Purely for the reason above, the Uruguayan has a crucial role to play over the coming months. He will need to find a way of playing alongside Ibrahimovic in attack. Whether it is possible, only time will tell. The fact that he scored 78 times in the last three seasons for Napoli shows that he is the type of frontman that operates at his best inside the penalty area. Perhaps there is some scope for Ibra playing in a slightly deeper role behind his new teammate.
First game: Montpellier (A), Complete fixture list
Sports Mole says: PSG had the strongest squad in France last season and they have boosted it further this summer. However, they are weaker in one area. Taking nothing away from the recently appointed Blanc, but he does not possess anywhere near the experience that Carlo Ancelotti does. The Italian, now coach at Real Madrid, was lauded for the job that he carried out last season, particularly when you consider the egos that he had to manage. Having said that, like Bayern Munich in Germany, no matter who is in charge, the quality of player should see them come out on top when the main prize is handed out. Their closest rival is likely to be Monaco, but having thrown together a completely new side in the space of a couple of months, it would be a surprise if they will be able to push PSG all the way.
Predicted finish: First
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