Jean Butez, the 30-year-old goalkeeper who came up through the ranks at Lille and now plays for Como, and who played alongside Pacho at Royal Antwerp (2022-2023), was invited to comment on the “poor form” of the 24-year-old Paris Saint-Germain defender, a point highlighted by L’Equipe on Tuesday. The goalkeeper also gave his assessment of Pacho’s development at PSG and his playing style.
“It’s still very impressive to have seized his opportunity and to have been so consistent afterward.”
His development?
“Seeing him establish himself so quickly at Antwerp and then Frankfurt was already something special. Given his speed, power, and age, seeing him sign for Paris didn’t surprise me all that much. However, it’s still very impressive to have seized his opportunity and to have been so consistent afterward.”
Looking at his career, I think that playing alongside players like Toby Alderweireld at Antwerp, the German international (Robin Koch) at Frankfurt, or Marquinhos—all experienced players—was a real advantage for him.
Has he changed much since his time in Belgium?
I feel like I’m seeing the same player, with his chewing gum, his feigned nonchalance (laughs). It’s a paradox, Pacho! He gives the impression of being nonchalant, but he’s one of the most powerful players I’ve ever played with. As soon as he’s in contact, he never gets caught out. I’ve rarely seen a player so strong in that area. He always intervenes at the right time with very intelligent positioning. And since he’s so fast…
“It’s not ‘human’ to stay up there all the time.”
A dip in form right now, something he already experienced in Belgium?
I don’t recall him ever going through anything like this. He’s always been incredibly consistent. I’m not on the team, but it might also be due to a more collective problem. Pacho has been on top of the world for months. It’s not “human” to stay up there all the time. It’s normal to have a bit of a slump. He’s still young, it’s part of the game.”
Pacho was a little less commanding, and L’Equipe is already questioning whether he’s experiencing a dip in form, offering explanations and projections for the future. Butez responds with great insight: you rarely need to simply look at the individual player to explain a performance within a team, and you mustn’t forget that he’s a human being.
PSG was slightly less effective in its pressing and ball distribution, which leaves the defense a little more exposed. This adds another layer of difficulty. Individually, fatigue is also a possibility, and it’s impossible to be at your peak all the time. The Ecuadorian defender isn’t going through a rough patch or having worrying performances either.
Above all, he remains a reliable, composed, and powerful player. While he always displays a certain calm, Pacho knows how to be aggressive in duels and find the right outlet to avoid danger. He shouldn’t suddenly become just another player. His trajectory is also impressive, having gone from [he/she] to [a certain] in just two years. From Royal Antwerp (with all due respect to that club) to European champion status at PSG, the defender has successfully navigated each step and consistently delivered. There’s no cause for concern now.
