Posted on November 19, 2021 at 12:30 pm by Arthur Montagne
This summer, PSG secured the services of Gianluigi Donnarumma, whose contract with AC Milan. A very good deal on paper but which poses problems given the fact that Keylor Navas has been shining in Parisian goals for two seasons. However, Mauricio Pochettino is delighted with the competition between his doormen.
During the summer transfer window, PSG has not been idle, strengthening itself significantly … especially in the goals. Indeed, Leonardo jumped at the opportunity that presented itself with Gianluigi Donnarumma, who did not find an agreement to extend his contract at AC Milan . Consequently, the club of the capital obtained the signature of the best player of the Euro without paying any transfer compensation. A choice that was debated since PSG already had in its ranks an international goalkeeper with Keylor Navas . Arrived in 2019, the Costa Rican came out of two magnificent seasons in Paris which even allowed him to extend his lease until 2024. Therefore, Mauricio Pochettino must manage a squad with two of the best goalkeepers of the world. And while this mission seemed doomed to failure, the Argentine technician seems to have found the right formula by dividing the playing time between his two doormen. For the moment it works since Gianluigi Donnarumma and Keylor Navas are very efficient.
Pochettino found “the best solution”
In a long interview with L'Equipe, Mauricio Pochettino spoke about his management of goalkeepers, and denies having chosen the solution to facilitate by opting for a formula without a clearly established hierarchy. The coach of PSG thinks it would have been much easier to designate a number 1. “I think there is a misconception. Take the keepers. When you have two players you trust and who demonstrate every day that they can play, it would be unfair to prioritize one. It doesn't mean that there isn't a moment when we'll make a choice. But I would like you to understand that as a coach the ease would be to say: this one is number 1, that one number 2. It takes courage to put the two in competition, to make them understand that they must be ready when we call on them and they perform. Instead of saying that we lacked the guts not to designate a number 1 and a number 2, I would prefer that we highlight the courage of PSG to have taken Donnarumma when he already had Navas and Rico ”, confides before being raised on the risk that the absence of hierarchy between Keylor Navas and Gianluigi Donnarumma can generate. ” What is the risk ? “Asks Mauricio Pochettino who seems convinced that by opting for the sharing of playing time, he is avoiding several problems. “What if we nominate a number 1 who plays everything and he gets injured? “Asks the coach of PSG who believes that” from the moment the club made the decision to recruit Donnarumma, who finished best player of the Euro, while he had a number 1 like Navas, there was no debate, we had to adapt. Our responsibility has been to say: if you can compete and manage yourself that way, this is the best solution. “It remains to be seen whether this will last over time …