Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have the daunting task of replacing Kylian Mbappé, but they have been actively preparing for a future without him. Despite Mbappé staying for another season, PSG have already spent €209m on new players this summer. They initially focused on other areas of the pitch, signing defensive midfielder Manuel Ugarte, central defender Lucas Hernández, and Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar. But following Mbappé’s announcement of leaving next summer, PSG brought in attacking reinforcements. They signed Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembélé for €50m, Benfica striker Gonçalo Ramos on loan with an option to make the move permanent for €80m, and are looking to sign Eintracht Frankfurt forward Randal Kolo Muani. PSG’s transfer activity suggests they are aware that no single player can replace Mbappé’s contributions.
Ramos, who scored 27 goals and provided 12 assists in 47 games for Benfica last season, will help compensate for Mbappé’s goal contributions in the long run. Although his record falls short of Mbappé’s, averaging 1.01 goals/assists per 90 minutes compared to Mbappé’s 1.29, the addition of Dembélé and Kolo Muani could make up for it. Dembélé averaged 0.71 goals/assists per 90 minutes, while Kolo Muani achieved an impressive 0.99 goals/assists per 90 for Frankfurt. Together, these three players could provide attacking intent that rivals what Mbappé achieved on his own last season.
PSG’s attempts to find a replacement for Mbappé demonstrate the difficulty of replacing such an extraordinary player. Their strategy involves spreading Mbappé’s contributions across multiple players rather than signing one who could match his stature. While it remains to be seen if these signings can truly fill the void left by Mbappé, PSG’s proactive approach suggests they are determined to build a competitive team even without their star player.
In conclusion, PSG have spent a significant amount on new signings this summer as they brace themselves for Kylian Mbappé’s eventual departure. While no single player can replace Mbappé, PSG’s strategy involves distributing his contributions across multiple players. The signing of players like Ramos, Dembélé, and Kolo Muani aims to compensate for Mbappé’s goal-scoring abilities and provide attacking firepower for the team. PSG’s transfer activity demonstrates their determination to build a strong team even without Mbappé, although the true impact of these signings remains to be seen.
