Turning a new leaf: How PSG have remodelled for the better in 2024-25 | OneFootball

Football, at its very purest essence, boils down to the 90 minutes of action that unfolds on the field when two teams of eleven players step out on the grass with a common objective of finding the back of the net.

The sport, however, has continually evolved over time, and with this evolution has brought in several external factors that directly influence the success of a team.

In today’s world, it is no secret that economic muscle is one such massive factor that plays a leading role in the same. It is not a coincidence that the most successful clubs in the sport at present are those with the largest revenues or cash flow.

PSG, for long, have been known widely for their financial prowess even before their sporting achievements.

The Qatari ownership has ensured that the club seldom, if ever, faced a lack of funds in their effort to improve the team and it was not too long ago that the team included legends from top to bottom.

An era of learning

Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr, Kylian Mbappe, Sergio Ramos – PSG’s team even two years ago boasted of football’s biggest names on one sheet. On paper, no side in Europe could better them, or so it seemed.

PSG seem to have learned from their mistakes. (Photo by Koji Watanabe/Getty Images)

Despite harbouring the elite names and fielding them together on the field, however, the Parisiens failed to win their first UEFA Champions League title.

Considering that European success was the motto behind bringing legends together, it is safe to say that PSG failed in their objective of buying their way to success.

One big learning from the failure of the star-studded team to conquer Europe was the fact that football will always remain an unadulterated sport at its purest.

Irrespective of the various factors that threaten to skew the sport’s integrity, it is simply impossible to build success with economic muscle and PSG thus took a decision for the better – to prioritise the sporting project.

Turning a new leaf

Today’s PSG is almost unrecognisable from the version it presented two years ago. With Lionel Messi, Neymar, Ramos, Rabiot and even Kylian Mbappe no longer at the club, the Parisiens have a brand new look to them.

Luis Enrique now has complete control of the project he is building at the French institution and appears to be making solid progress on multiple fronts with the right transfers.

Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

PSG thus have a whole new look to them this season. With no big names, they may lack poster boys to attract fans. However, the changes have boded well for the team’s performances on the field.

Unlike previous seasons where the team relied on individual brilliance to pull them through on the big nights, there appears to be an improved collective effort on Luis Enrique’s side.

The players look connected on the field, knowing well that every small contribution they provide adds to the team’s betterment. United by a common objective, there is serious cohesion and belief within the team.

Complete commitment from the players

Certain players have indeed stepped up more than others for PSG this term – Achraf Hakimi, Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola and Joao Neves being a few who top the list.

However, there is no individual who one can claim has not looked impressive and committed to the project this season.

Everyone knows their role from Gigi Donnarumma in goal to the likes of Vitinha, Kang-In Lee, and Marquinhos.

PSG is building a new ground. (Photo by Maryam Majd/Getty Images)

With the manager transmitting to every individual their importance in the project, even the substitutes have taken opportunities with both hands.

After all, Marco Asensio did well to cover for Goncalo Ramos’ absence and Randal Kolo Muani has now made a strong start in covering the centre-forward position after the Spaniard himself faced a setback.

PSG have thus turned a new leaf and projected a drastically modified version this season.

The change was not completely welcome as the club fought hard to keep Mbappe in the summer. In hindsight, perhaps, it was for the best as it has helped the rest of the team open their wings and unite as a group.

With five wins and a draw to their name so far this season, they have made a dream start and look primed for more.

One hopes the renewed comradery and spirit will take them to the successes they so deeply desire soon, and the future looks bright for the French giants.