Donnarumma and another eight guys will keep the PSG net (©AFP)
Donnarumma and another eight guys will keep the PSG net (©AFP)

You’d think they never concede goals: Paris Saint-Germain have got NINE goalkeepers in their ranks

Reading Time: 3min | Thu. 15.07.21. | 17:40

The Parisians’ never-ending pursuit of new players resulted in them having nine senior goalkeepers in their squad

The signing of Gianluigi Donnarumma should mean that Paris Saint-Germain have nailed down their long-term goalkeeper. The 22-year-old Italian could play at the highest level for over a decade and provide the French powerhouse with a reliable man between the posts. But you always need a backup. Maybe not an eight-man-strong backup, but hey…

Besides Donnarumma, PSG have their proven Costa Rican international Keylor Navas, whom they’d signed two years ago. The 34-year-old former Real Madrid goalie could provide at least a year or two of top-level performances. He’s still got three years of contract to run. He’s understandably angry at the club’s recruiting team for going after Donnarumma despite promising him regular football. It’s a matter that coach Mauricio Pochettino will have to address before there is tension in the camp.

Alphonse Areola is like an unwanted child of PSG. The 28-year-old French-Filipino has been with the club since his boyhood, but he’s been out on various loans more times than he cares to remember. RC Lens, SC Bastia, Villareal CF, Real Madrid and most recently Fulham have all had Areola on a temporary basis without ever coming close to offering him a permanent home. He’s got two more years of contract at Parc des Princes, but it’s difficult to see him ever getting in the team.

Sergio Rico is a Spanish goalkeeper who started out at Sevilla, his hometown team. As a highly promising youngster, he was given a chance to develop at the club’s youth and reserve sides before he made his senior debut at the age of 21. Just like Areola, he’s had a season on loan at Fulham in 2018/19. A strange loan to Paris Saint-Germain followed the next season – during which he’s only made two appearances for the Saints. He must have impressed in training because the club decided to $6.6 million to make the more permanent. Now he’s got yet another player ahead of him in the pecking order and is already asked to leave the club.

The case of veteran goalkeeper Alexandre Letellier is probably the most curious one. He joined PSG last year as a free agent following his stint with French third-tier team side US Orleans. The 30-year-old Frenchman did not make a single appearance for PSG last season, as he instead dealt with multiple injuries throughout the campaign. He's apparently a good guy to have in the dressing room and in training sessions because the club have decided to extend his stay for another year.

There are a few of youngsters too, French-Haitian Garissone Innocent and Italian prospect Denis Franchi and Polish shot-stopper Marcin Bulka completing the list of active PSG goalkeepers. It's equally impressive and ridiculous. However, it's to be expected that there will be some transfers out.

Unless the Parisians want to come up with new tactics that's never been seen before.


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Paris Saint-GermainGigio DonnarummaKeylor Navas

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