“Better too much than too little” is probably what they think at PSG. With the arrival of European Championship revelation Gianluigi Donnarumma, the French team now has 9 goalkeepers available. Who are all those loyal target guards among the Parisians? We make an overview for you.
1. EK-held Gianluigi Donnarumma
The Player of the European Championship was picked up for free this summer. The contract of the 22-year-old Italian giant expired with AC Milan, after which he wanted to look for new places.
In his quest, Donnarumma ended up in Paris, where he can compete with 8 colleagues for one place between the posts. At a young age he already has a nice track record and 99 clean sheets. Will number 100 follow soon?
2. Three-time CL winner Keylor Navas
Keylor Navas’ career was on the rise after an excellent World Cup in Brazil (2014) with Costa Rica. The small goalkeeper – who measures 185 cm – succeeded Iker Casillas at Real Madrid and won the Champions League no fewer than three times.
In 2018, one Thibaut Courtois played one hell of a World Cup, which allowed the Costa Rican to be the first choice at Real. He went on to try his luck at PSG, where he – until now? – fixed value is between the posts.
3. Youth product Alphonse Areola
Alphonse Aréola started his football dream with the youth of PSG. After a loan spell to Lens, Bastia and Villarreal, the Frenchman finally seemed to break through in 2017, but the arrival of Navas decided otherwise.
In total, Areola has already played 107 games for the club of his heart. In 2019-2020 he was a duplication of Courtois at Real Madrid, last season he was loaned to Premier League relegated Fulham. Are Areola preparing for a loan spell again?
4. Spanish Promise Sergio Rico
A young confident goalkeeper with presence and Andalusian blood in his veins. PSG had their eye on that. Sergio Rico is a youth product of Sevilla, where he made his debut at the age of 21.
The Spanish keeper replaced the injured Beto and impressed in Sevilla’s goal. With a Europa League trophy in his pocket and a trip to Fulham behind him, he ended up at PSG. Not a big success yet, with only 12 games to his name.
5. Polish guinea pig Marcin Bulka
Born in the Polish town of Plock, which was not big enough for Marcin Bulka’s dreams. The goalkeeper wanted to taste top football at a young age. Literally. Bulka went on trial with Barcelona and Chelsea.
The London club took the young keeper under his wing, where he excelled in the reserves. In July of 2019, PSG took over 19-year-old Bulka. Last season he was allowed to gain experience with French third division team Châteauroux.
6. Promising Italian Denis Franchi
The Club Brugge U19 has good memories of Denis Franchi. In the 2019-2020 UEFA Youth League, he conceded six goals in two games against the Bruggelings.
Still, PSG has full confidence in Franchi. He was promoted to the first team at the age of 18 this summer. Purely symbolic or with an eye to the future?
7. Old acquaintance Alexandre Letellier
In 2010, the now thirty-year-old Alexandre Letellier played for PSG B. He then skimmed through five clubs: Angers, Young Boys, Troyes, Sarpsborg and Orléans.
Last summer, Letellier returned home on a free transfer to Paris. After 10 years – with many detours – he can stop balls from Neymar and Mbappé in training.
8. Haïtiaan Garissone Innocent
Garissone Innocent is the next youth product in PSG’s list. The Frenchman with Haitian roots spent the past season at second division Caen.
Things almost went wrong for Innocent. In a match against Chambly, he succumbed to cardiac arrest. He was taken to hospital and made a wonderful recovery. The Haitian U23 international will – with great probability – leave for Ligue 2 again.
9. French Youth International Lucas Lavallée
Lucas Lavallée came over from the promises at Lille in June. He signed a 3-year contract with the team from the capital. A transfer with which the French promise international was very happy.
The fact that he has been picked up from the French selection since the U17, gives Lavallée beautiful letters of nobility. Whether that will give him a future between the posts at PSG is another question.
