Currently injured, Lucas Chevalier is witnessing the rise of Renato Marin, who has started for PSG in the last two Ligue 1 matches to allow Matvey Safonov some rest. The Parisian future of the French goalkeeper seems in danger.
Recruited last summer by PSG from Lille to replace Gianluigi Donnarumma, Chevalier risks having only made a very brief stint at the capital club. It is true that, after very mixed performances, Luis Enrique, who had pushed for his arrival in Paris, did not hesitate to make Safonov the No. 1 goalkeeper.
Whatever one thinks of the Russian goalkeeper, he has been impeccable in the Champions League, even if his unorthodox style has surprised. And, unfortunately for Chevalier, he seriously injured himself at a time when PSG could have given him playing time.
As a result, instead of playing the French goalkeeper, Marin, the young Italian goalkeeper, was thrown into the deep end of Ligue 1 with the prospect of becoming Safonov's long-term backup. If that is the case, then Chevalier will leave.
Jose Barroso, who closely follows PSG, confides that the goalkeeper hierarchy could indeed change, with Safonov now the undisputed No. 1 and set to remain so next season.
Already not inclined to settle for backup goalkeeper status, Chevalier is unwilling to be No. 3 either, even though his salary is comfortable ($6.9 million per season) and he would not earn a similar one if he leaves.
"In this context, if Luis Enrique does not reshuffle the cards in the offseason, a departure cannot be ruled out. It would depend in part on the amount demanded by the Parisian management, who paid $60 million to bring in the former Lille player, or even on their willingness to accept a loan," explains the cited journalist for L'Equipe. What is certain is that Luis Enrique has very clear ideas on this subject.
Referring to certain images where he was seen speaking to Marin with a not-so-jovial expression, the PSG coach preferred to smile about it. "It's not easy to have a coach like me (smile). I am happy. Marin made very high-level saves. He is very young. He can still improve. He was courageous. He did a very good job," said Luis Enrique, who specified that he still did not know if he could count on Chevalier, who is recovering from a thigh muscle injury, for the Champions League final at the end of the month in Budapest against Arsenal.
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