The last horrah for PSG?

A funny thing happened this season, PSG went from last years running joke, barely avoiding relegation to at one point this season, being 1 pt off the lead off first place. Now they are still in the running for a Champions League spot, the first place seems a far reach. So this should be a good thing for a club that has been dysfunctional too long...however those days may come back sooner than the fans hope. Why? A major turn over might strike once again.

PSG is built around some solid players some that were diamonds in the rough - Hourau, some that were aged veterans looking for one more run at glory - Makelele and Guily, and some players that continued to grow - Sessegnon. In addition, this season saw the resurrection of veterans such as Landreau and Armand. So this would appear to be a good combination for the next few seasons, but not all is good.

First, Le Guen is leaving the club. The manager that was able to turn things around in the capital has once again decided to jump ship and seek greener pastures or he was forced out by the brass. Either way, the Paris team will once again have to find a new leader of the club. Le Guen had given them the one thing needed - stability at the top. I fear that having to break in a new manager once again will set back PSG.

Second, there are a number of rumors that Landreau is on the way out. After being the keeper for PSG since 2006, and reestablishing himself as the one of the best keepers in France it appears that he is looking to move abroad. If he does leave, not sure what the B plan would be for PSG. This would create a huge hole in the PSG line up. There is a rumor that Coupet might want to come back to France after a failed experiment at Athletico, PSG might be a good destination. However, not sure how much Coupet has left in the tank either!

Third, not sure how much is left in the tank for Makelele and Guily. Coming back to France seemed to give these two veterans a new lease on life. They both found their niche in the PSG side, but not sure how much more they can give to the efforts. Will next season be "a season to far" for the two veterans. Not sure how much longer Keke will be the linchpin in the middle of the park. He was already slowing down last season with Chelsea. I cannot imagine how he can continue at a high rate for much longer.

Finally, will PSG find itself raided by some of the bigger European clubs? Sakho might be poached by Arsenal, Sessegnon might also find his way across the channel. How about Hourau? Clement? To name a few. If these players decide to seek new adventures PSG will really find itself behind the 8 ball.

So PSG might get into the Champions League...and have a middle of the table squad available for the competition. Sigh.

Well well well...look who is challenging in France

My my my how much can change in one year. Last year I was convinced that PSG was destined to be relegated, I actually thought it might be a good thing for the Parisian club. The kick in the butt they needed to start overhauling the club. Of course, once again I was proven wrong. PSG is now only 4 points off the top of the table and have just taken out a solid option for the next round of the UEFA Cup defeating Wolfsburg 2-0 at the Parc des Prince. So can we expect PSG to really be the challenger for the Ligue 1 title, knock Lyon off their pedestal?

Looking ahead, PSG's season will really hinge on a stretch between March 15 and May 2, during that span they will face Marseilles, Lyon, Toulouse, Nice, Rennes and LOSC - the top 10 teams of the league. This span will challenge Le Guen and his ability to manage his players. With older players - Guily and Makelele - how will Le Guen ensure that he keeps his team competitive and not burn out his veterans. Also, will Rothen come back to form? His crosses against Wolfsburg appear promising, resulting in the first Hourau goal. But I question his ability to maintain this level of play. What is promising is the infusion of some of the youth - Sakho (who has been a mainstay for over a year) and Makonda - being two teenagers that Le Guen has leveraged. The other main issue will be if Sessegnon, Chantome, Clement, Makelele and the rest can keep up the high level of midfield play. The midfield play has been key to the success for PSG, and has allowed Hourau and Guily to succeed up front.

The next few months will be a huge test for PSG, I am not sure if they have the roster to really challenge Lyon, but I am glad to see Paris contending again rather than being in a relegation battle.

PSG loses Ngog to Liverpool

So PSG has signed two older players in Guily and Makelele this week and then turned around and sold an up and coming teenager in Ngog to Liverpool. Supposedly Le Guen claimed that Ngog had not done the necessary to be included in this years plans. While you have to respect the manager's opinion, this is a worrying trend for me....if you keep selling players in their teenage years that does not bode well for your future. While Le Guen might not be high on the player, he is still a France U19 member and still has growth potential. Obviously he attracted attention from a big European club so he has some level of talent. If PSG wants to get back into the ranks of France's elite and start competing with the likes of Bordeaux and Lyon they will need to retain and develop some youth, they cannot rely on signing 30+ year olds to sustain them. I hope that this move does not come back to bite them in the behind like when they lost another teenager to an English club...that player was Nicolas Anelka.