Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the 25-year-old Georgian striker who joined Paris Saint-Germain from Napoli in January 2025, was featured in L’Equipe this Friday. This provided an opportunity to ask his former teammate and friend Cyril Ngonge (a 25-year-old right winger on loan from Napoli to Spanish side RCD) for his thoughts on his time in Paris and what the future holds.
“Many would love to have his first year at PSG, wouldn’t they?”
“Would you say we’ve seen his true colors?
I think he had a big impact last season. It’s not easy, you arrive in a new league, in a new club environment… Many would love to have his first year at PSG, wouldn’t they? He adores his coach (Luis Enrique), who tries to bring out his qualities. But Khvicha just turned 25; we’ll see much more of him in the future.
“He told me, with a smile, ‘I’m not going anywhere.’
How does he feel about his daily life in Paris and at the club?
People don’t know him well, but Khvicha is a real homebody. He’s very family-oriented. He doesn’t go out much. I asked him if he wanted to stay in Paris for a long time, and he told me, with a smile, ‘I’m not going anywhere.’ But you can tell when Khvicha isn’t happy.” In Naples, the last few months were difficult. Here, I sense he’s thriving. I know he’s happy.
Does he seem frustrated on the right?
That’s a normal observation. Right-footed players like to cut inside onto their preferred foot. And vice versa. But you’re at a club where you have (Ousmane) Dembélé, (Désiré) Doué, (Bradley) Barcola, Lee Kang-in… They’d all probably like to be on their opposite foot. But there’s a coach who has to find a balance. It’s true he might be more effective on the left, but that’s the price you pay at a big club. You have a world-class dressing room where everyone has to feel comfortable, and the coach has to make decisions. And Khvicha respects that.
“You’ve only seen 50% so far. You’re going to love it as much as I do.”
What’s your take on the comments about his individualism?
He knows how to score and create goals. In teams like this, there’s always an element of individualism, isn’t there? Every great player has that. Khvicha is one of them. Sometimes I see him attempt shots from 35 meters and I’m surprised, but he knows it can work. He has great self-confidence.
But it’s a confidence he’s built up. He’s someone who works incredibly hard every day, with his physio, his trainers… This confidence translates into one-on-one situations. Where you need that. But it’s never stopped him from making passes. He’s a player who’s a joy to watch. You’ve only seen 50% of him so far. You’re going to love it as much as I do (laughs).
Indeed, Kvaratskhelia’s first year at PSG has been of a very high standard. Some people forget this, since the Georgian started particularly strong, but an adjustment period is normal. And it was especially challenging in a very busy 2025, with the entire squad lacking preparation for the 2025-2026 season.
It’s probably all the more difficult to fully express oneself at the beginning within this system established by coach Luis Enrique. He is particularly strong once his fluidity is fully integrated, but before that, you have to understand all the movements and make them feel natural. There’s also the versatility that the coach is developing and the competition for places.
Kvaratskhelia isn’t the only great striker in the squad, nor the only one who is particularly comfortable on the left wing. You have to adapt to all these factors. Which the Georgian is doing without complaint. He fights and gives his all. to help the team. Sometimes he makes individualistic choices and looks for the shot. This can be frustrating at times, but it’s also how players can make a difference. You have to try things. The Georgian is particularly strong at dribbling and shooting, so it makes sense to build on that.
Now, he still needs to work on finding the right balance. This also comes down to developing understanding with his teammates. He still has time to improve. His potential is already very clear, and we hope to see him develop further in Paris, as Ngonge has stated.
