Since this summer, it has become fairly common for fans and “experts” to criticize Paris Saint-Germain for its poor recruitment during the 2025 summer transfer window. This is particularly true after a match that wasn’t won. This time, speaking to RMC Sport, journalist Daniel Riolo defended PSG, which only recruited Lucas Chevalier (23-year-old goalkeeper) and Ilya Zabarnyi (23-year-old defender).
Riolo said, “It was very smart of PSG not to have recruited. It could have been more problematic than anything else.”
“There’s real thought involved, it’s part of a clear and straightforward thinking. It’s that if you bring in a very good player in midfield, a very good player up front, you create a form of competition that could certainly destabilize a squad that had just walked on water.” And, since you consider that in Ligue 1, you can be in the top positions and compete for the title until the end by rotating players, waiting for players to be rested, and that the Champions League is a championship.
And since you’ve shown that you can hit the ground running in January and perform very well across the board, I think it’s very smart of PSG not to have recruited. It could have been more problematic than anything else. I think it’s a very smart move.”
We’re not used to seeing Riolo be so complimentary about PSG or coach Luis Enrique. But it’s been happening little by little in recent months. It’s become harder to criticize a coach and a club that have had a historic season with a Champions League victory.
Yet, some are still fully committed to it. As if Paris were still searching for its project, whether in a hurry or in a tragedy. Yet, Paris’s start to the season has been far from a failure. They’ve dropped a few points amid numerous injuries. This can happen. But we’ve also seen the squad continue to display a certain quality of play and often win despite a very full injury squad. Especially in attack.
There’s no squad that isn’t weakened by injuries, especially when they’re concentrated in a single position. All of this requires management, given the very busy 2025 season.
Recruiting was the obvious solution for everyone. But accumulating players isn’t everything. There’s also a balance to be struck between playing time and competition. We have to consider times when there are fewer injuries and therefore players disappointed not to play. PSG has great quality in a still-young squad; we need to leave room for the players to continue growing.
We also saw Liverpool recruit heavily this summer and struggle more this season than last. There are no certainties with transfers. Not to mention financial management or the prices asked by clubs. Like the fact that Luis Enrique made it clear that he wants players who really strengthen the squad and who have the right mentality. It’s not just about having numbers. Nothing easy for a European champion, who is already very well equipped.
