Lucas Chevalier was unconvincing against Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday (2-1 defeat, Matchday 7 of the Champions League), and criticism is once again raining down on the 24-year-old Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper who was recently being praised. This Friday morning, L’Equipe even wonders if he could be “abandoned” by the dressing room. Former PSG defender Patrick Colleter (1991-1996) offered his perspective.
Colleter: “Ultimately, it depends on each player’s character.”
“Losing his teammates? No, I don’t think so. Not at this level. He’s going through a rough patch, but he has the talent. It’s precisely up to his teammates to reassure him. He’s not decisive, admittedly, but it’s a period where he needs support rather than being written off.
Sometimes, it’s the other way around. The goalkeeper is decisive while one or two of his defenders are having a bad game. I remember with Bernard (Lama), there were times when I was having a bad game. He’d give me a good telling-off, but in a good way. Is it better to coddle him or give him a good telling-off? It depends on each person’s personality.”
It’s worth noting here that everyone’s behavior, reactions, and needs depend on their personality. Nothing too surprising, but it’s clearly something we need to rediscover sometimes. Perhaps Chevalier needs to be left alone, perhaps he needs extra support, possibly with encouragement, or even with a tougher message. It’s impossible to be sure without being with the group, close to the goalkeeper. This reminds us of coach Luis Enrique’s barb in the press conference, with journalists speaking out without having all the facts.
There’s no need to create a potential “drama,” with Chevalier being rejected by the group. There’s not the slightest concrete indication of that, and it would be a terrible reaction from the players. We’re counting on them to know that there are more difficult times in a career and to react appropriately for their teammate.
Almost all of Tuesday’s starters have already experienced doubts, and all of them could also bear some responsibility for the defeat. It’s as a group that they need to react and move forward, something PSG has been saying since 2023 with the arrival of coach Luis Enrique.
