PSG's Donnarumma Disaster: Ditching a Treble Hero for a Clown-Shoed Replacement
PSG's decision to sell treble hero Gianluigi Donnarumma to Manchester City and replace him with Lucas Chevalier has backfired spectacularly. The new keeper's errors have cost crucial points, from the Super Cup to the Classique, while Donnarumma thrives at City. Luis Enrique's quest for a 'modern' profile is looking like a massive own goal.
PSG's Donnarumma Disaster: Ditching a Treble Hero for a Clown-Shoed Replacement
Picture this: Paris Saint-Germain finally bag their first Champions League trophy, sweeping aside the continent's big boys like Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal before humbling Inter in the final. Luis Enrique's lads also nabbed a Ligue 1 and Coupe de France double. Heroes everywhere – Ousmane Dembele scoops the Ballon d'Or with 35 goals, Desire Doue shines as a teen sensation, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia bosses mid-season arrival of the year.
Vitinha transforms from Wolves reject to midfield maestro, while Nuno Mendes mops up elite wingers like a human vacuum. But one bloke got shafted in the glory parade: Gianluigi Donnarumma. The Italian keeper was a brick wall, denying two Liverpool pens in a shootout thriller and pulling off 15 saves against Aston Villa and Arsenal en route to the semis. Without Gigio, no treble.
The Head-Scratching Heave-Ho
Yet PSG couldn't wait to punt him. Summer priority: flog Donnarumma to Man City for £26m. Why? Luis Enrique fancied a 'modern' ball-playing No.1. In struts Lucas Chevalier from Lille for €55m on a five-year deal. Donnarumma's binned from the UEFA Super Cup squad versus Tottenham.
Enrique called it 'difficult' but praised Gigio as 'one of the best'. Different profile, apparently. Chevalier's pass count dwarfed Donnarumma's in Ligue 1 last term (722 vs 463). Shot-stopping? Box command? Nah, who needs that when you can ping it from the back? Donnarumma vented on socials, feeling 'disappointed and disheartened'. Later, thriving under Pep, he told Sky Sports PSG let him down after he'd adapted.
Reports swirled of contract rows – Gigio wanted €12m a year; Chevalier took €6m. Funny how the wage gap mirrors the talent chasm, eh?
Chevalier's Comedy of Errors
New boy lacked Gigio's nous from day dot. Super Cup? PSG edge Spurs on pens after 2-2, Chevalier saves from Micky van de Ven, but gifts their second with a daft fumble on Cristian Romero's weak header. Ball bounces, he parries it in. Classic.
Worse came in the Classique at Marseille. Fourth minute: deflected cross from Mason Greenwood loops up. Chevalier flaps like a startled pigeon, blindsides skipper Marquinhos who nods into his own net under Nayef Aguerd pressure. OM win 1-0, their first home Ligue 1 win over PSG in 14 years. Chevalier admits post-match: 'The ball doesn't often reach my hands.' Oof.
He grabs a clean sheet vs Auxerre (2-0) and chills at Barcelona (2-1 CL win, just three shots on target). Then boom – back at Lille, Ethan Mbappe (yep, that Mbappe) rifles a late low shot from the box's edge. Should've been bread and butter for a top keeper. Cue howls from PSG fans: 'So small' and 'lacking charisma'.
Fast forward, and PSG aren't scaring anyone in Europe or Ligue 1. City? Donnarumma's bossing it. PSG's treble dream? Turning into a nightmare. What a cock-up. Luis Enrique's 'project' looks like it's leaking faster than Chevalier's gloves.
If this keeps up, Parc des Princes will echo with chants for Gigio's return. PSG board, take note: heroes don't grow on trees, and you don't trade a treble-saver for a fumble merchant. Madness.