Luis Enrique has repeated it several times for two months: the PSG coach already intends to “prepare for next season”, hence his controversial management of Kylian Mbappé, called to leave the capital this summer. We have to believe that the Spaniard’s management is variable, or that the argument does not apply to everyone. Sunday, against Reims (2-2), he started Keylor Navas. A consolation prize to make the Costa Rican swallow the pill and ensure him some playing time, while Gianluigi Donnarumma should be lined up in goal on Wednesday for the quarter-final of the Coupe de France, against Nice, in the same way as several executives left on the bench on Sunday (Mbappé, Dembélé).
Already in the previous round, taking advantage of his team’s large lead at the top of the L1, Luis Enrique had acted in the same way. While Navas started in the 32nd finals (9-0 against Revel) and in the 16th round (4-1 against Orléans), and we imagined a classic distribution of tasks between the Italian (L1 and Champions League) and him (Cup), “Gigio” had officiated in the 8th against Brest (3-1) before giving way to the former Madrilenian three days later in the Championship against Lille (3-1). A coherent choice, which reflects the importance given by the club to the Cup, a competition in which it is the most successful (14 successes) and which it has not won since 2021.
PSG is looking for a replacement
Even though Luis Enrique has never publicly acknowledged a hierarchy among his goalkeepers, the Euro 2021 winner is clearly No. 1 this season. And his performances prove him right for the moment. On the other hand, the decision to play Navas in L1 matches where the stakes are considered lower is of concern. Not for the value or the status of the triple winner of the C1 obviously. But because at 37, he is also preparing to leave PSG this summer. This winter, the question of a transfer arose, before the person concerned made it clear that he would decline any offer. The Ticos legend (112 caps) intends to complete his contract at the end of June before signing elsewhere, free.
At the same time, Arnau Tenas (22) is on the bench. Supported by Donnarumma in the fall during the two months Navas spent in the infirmary (lumbar), the Catalan played three convincing matches in December, following an expulsion from the Italian. The opportunity for him to show in particular the quality of his kicking game, the major reason why Luis Enrique blew his name last summer. Under contract until 2026, the Spaniard further embodies the future of PSG but has not been seen in competition since. In recent months, the French champions have looked at several goalkeeper profiles, in anticipation of the Costa Rican’s departure. Leaving some vagueness on the future hierarchy in goal.
