Safonov too unreliable near his post, Ménès calls for Chevalier's return to PSG

PSG’s difficult start to the season — two draws snatched against Rennes (2-2) and Lille (2-2), then a home defeat to Monaco (1-2) — reignites the debate over the goalkeeper position at Parc des Princes. For consultant Pierre Ménès, starting keeper Matvey Safonov bears some responsibility for these disappointing results.

It is Stanis Idumbo’s goal in the defeat to AS Monaco that crystallizes the criticism. “Every time he’s in goal, I’m terrified. I’m terrified on aerial balls, I’m terrified on his distribution. You have to acknowledge he has immense qualities on his line, except between him and his post, because I’m sorry, but Idumbo’s goal against Monaco is intolerable,” Ménès said on his YouTube channel.

The former Canal Football Club consultant draws a parallel with the Ligue des Champions final won by PSG against Arsenal: “It’s the same goal as the one Havertz scored that PSG conceded. At some point, what you ask a goalkeeper, even if the shots are powerful, is to protect his post.” A recurrence that, according to him, can no longer be ignored.

These repeated errors could, still according to Ménès, open the door to Lucas Chevalier, sidelined from the starting eleven during last season after several poor performances. “After a few errors, Chevalier definitively lost his place. I find that a bit unfair and perhaps if Safonov keeps conceding two goals a match, Lucas will get another chance,” he suggests.

The consultant does not mince words about the Russian’s overall level: “I consider that Safonov is not a goalkeeper sufficient for a club of PSG’s stature, even though you have to acknowledge that PSG won the Ligue des Champions with Safonov in goal.” Luis Enrique remains serene about his team’s future in Ligue 1, but the question of the number one goalkeeper could arise sooner than expected in his thinking.