Catfish
26 Jul 2005, 02:21 PM
Paris Saint-Germain
Last season: 9th
Coach: Laurent Fournier
Another summer, another PSG shake-up. Ludicrously high expectations have robbed the capital's only serious team of the stability and continuity enjoyed down in Lyon.
The latest 'messiah', playmaker Bonaventure Kalou, has the skill and also the application to supply the recently desolate Pauleta with the service he craves.
More important still could be the immodestly-talented Modeste M'bami, whose broken ankle proved the trigger for PSG's winter collapse last season.
Add the quality of Mario Yepes, Jérôme Rothen and visionary midfielder Vikash Dhorasoo, another new arrival, and it is clear PSG have the potential to challenge for honours.
But things rarely go according to plan in Paris, so don't be surprised if coach Laurent Fournier, like predecessor Vahid Halilhodzic last season, is out of a job by Christmas.
Major Ins: Bonaventure Kalou (Auxerre, €8.5m), Vikash Dhorasoo (AC Milan, €3m), David Rozenhal (FC Brugge, €3m), Christophe Landrin (Lille)
Major Outs: Reinaldo (Kashiwa Reysol, €4m), Romain Rocchi (Ajaccio, €0.5m), José Pierre-Fanfan (Rangers), Charles-Edouard Coridon (Out of contract)
One to watch: Bonaventure Kalou - The man entrusted with leading PSG to glory. No pressure.
Prediction: 3rd
Last season: 9th
Coach: Laurent Fournier
Another summer, another PSG shake-up. Ludicrously high expectations have robbed the capital's only serious team of the stability and continuity enjoyed down in Lyon.
The latest 'messiah', playmaker Bonaventure Kalou, has the skill and also the application to supply the recently desolate Pauleta with the service he craves.
More important still could be the immodestly-talented Modeste M'bami, whose broken ankle proved the trigger for PSG's winter collapse last season.
Add the quality of Mario Yepes, Jérôme Rothen and visionary midfielder Vikash Dhorasoo, another new arrival, and it is clear PSG have the potential to challenge for honours.
But things rarely go according to plan in Paris, so don't be surprised if coach Laurent Fournier, like predecessor Vahid Halilhodzic last season, is out of a job by Christmas.
Major Ins: Bonaventure Kalou (Auxerre, €8.5m), Vikash Dhorasoo (AC Milan, €3m), David Rozenhal (FC Brugge, €3m), Christophe Landrin (Lille)
Major Outs: Reinaldo (Kashiwa Reysol, €4m), Romain Rocchi (Ajaccio, €0.5m), José Pierre-Fanfan (Rangers), Charles-Edouard Coridon (Out of contract)
One to watch: Bonaventure Kalou - The man entrusted with leading PSG to glory. No pressure.
Prediction: 3rd