Speaking to Sky Sports yesterday, Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi defended the current project and coach Luis Enrique amid rumours of tension with several players. Speaking to L’Equipe, the Parisian leader added another layer of confidence and protection.
Al-Khelaïfi “This requires patience and perseverance, not wild panic.”
“I can’t believe what’s being written and I even find it ridiculous at times, but we’re not letting it affect us at all. We have embarked on a new phase in the club’s development. Transformation and change take time.
It requires patience and perseverance, not wild panic when things don’t always go your way or when the wind blows.
We have a short-, medium- and long-term strategy, and I fully believe in the coach, the players and our whole team. Our project has solid foundations and we’re going to keep building on them.
Al-Khelaïfi “I have absolute confidence in the project.”
We’ve changed so much at the club in recent years, we’re building a collective on and off the pitch, we’ve strengthened the institution, we’ve opened the best training center in the world in Poissy.
I have absolute confidence in the project, the coach, the sporting advisor (Luis Campos) and our team, and we will continue to evolve. And when times are tough, we support each other, that’s what a good club does, and that’s what our incredible supporters do too.”
The message is still very clear, and appreciable: there’s no question of turning everything upside down because of a few poor results. Nasser Al-Khelaïfi doesn’t even mention it, we carry on in the hope of being heard by some, it’s not even a case of completely failed matches with no substance or effort.
There are some interesting things, whether you totally agree with the idea of the game or not. At least it’s there, and there are plenty of chances. The goals are missing. That’s essential in soccer, of course, but probably not enough to change everything, starting with the coach.
This team needs to be strengthened, no doubt with some good moves at the mercato. But also with time, as there are many young players. They need to gain experience and learn to handle the tension of big nights. This more complicated period is also a time to grow.
The PSG president is avoiding the panic that some people are trying to create. That doesn’t mean there isn’t work to be done, to help the players and staff, and to recruit. With the right attacking impetus, Paris can quickly turn the tide in Europe. The return of Gonçalo Ramos (23) is already a point that can help.
