PSG Women’s Team Faces Challenges Amid Talent Exodus

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has established itself as one of the premier women’s football clubs in Europe over the past few years, notably breaking the 18-year domestic dominance of OL Lyon by going unbeaten to clinch the French Première Ligue title in the 2020-21 season. However, since that triumph, PSG has consistently finished at least 10 points behind their rivals on three occasions.

The Parisian club has also been a frequent contender in the UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) throughout the last decade, reaching the semifinals four times in the last six seasons and finishing as runners-up in 2015 and 2017. Yet, last season marked a setback as PSG was eliminated by Juventus in the second qualifying round, losing 5-2 on aggregate. This season has seen further challenges, with two defeats against Wolfsburg (4-0) and Real Madrid (2-1) in their opening matches, and an upcoming clash against Manchester United.

Amid years of anticipation for a breakthrough, recent developments suggest a worrying trend for PSG. The primary factor behind their decline has been the loss of significant talent, as key players have departed in consecutive transfer windows.

This summer alone saw the exits of all-time top scorer Marie-Antoinette Katoto (to OL Lyon), USWNT star Korbin Shrader (also to OL Lyon), and midfield linchpin Grace Geyoro (to London City Lionesses). In previous years, notable departures included Christiane Endler, Kadidiatou Diani (both to OL Lyon), Sara Däbritz (to Real Madrid), Sandy Baltimore, and Ashley Lawrence (both to Chelsea).

As a result, PSG have lost crucial talent to direct rivals OL Lyon, struggling to convert successful loan spells into permanent signings—most notably with Malawi striker Tabitha Chawinga, who after a standout loan season joined OL Lyon, leaving PSG in search of new scoring options.

An analysis of the current PSG squad reveals a concerning decline in overall quality. While players like Sakina Karchaoui, Griedge Mbock Bathy, and Rasheedat Ajibade still showcase talent, the significant loss of top performers has hindered their competitive edge.

In women’s football, squad turnover is common, but the departure of key players has notably impacted PSG’s style of play this season. Traditionally, top clubs aim to dominate matches through ball possession, but under manager Paulo Parente, PSG has shifted towards a more direct approach with the addition of players like Ajibade, Jennifer Echegini, and Merveille Kanjinga.

Recent statistics illustrate this tactical change, as PSG’s passes-per-possession ratio has declined significantly; their possession share has dropped from 62% last season to 56% this season, while their pass completion rate fell from 82% to 78%, marking a concerning dip below 80% for the first time in four years.

This decline in control has made it difficult for PSG to maintain possession and build plays effectively, resulting in an increased reliance on long-ball tactics—rising from 12.6% in the previous season to 17% this year, with an average of 104 long balls per game compared to just 77 last year.

Additionally, the outflow of talent has negatively affected their defensive capabilities. Despite a strong domestic performance with six of their eight conceded goals stemming from a heavy defeat to OL Lyon, their vulnerabilities against top-tier teams have been exposed, conceding four goals to Wolfsburg and two to Real Madrid in the UWCL.

Until 2021, PSG’s defense was bolstered by current Barcelona star Irene Paredes alongside Paulina Dudek, who was pivotal in their title-winning campaign. While Dudek remains, injuries have hampered her performance, contributing to a defense that appears increasingly prone to errors during crucial matches.

Former OL Lyon defender Mbock has faced her own injury challenges, and the signing of Spain international Olga Carmona from Real Madrid has not yet provided the expected stability. Moreover, the positional flexibility of Ajibade has led her to fill in defensively in several instances.

Current first-choice goalkeeper Mary Earps has also struggled, conceding 14 goals across seven games this season and registering a save percentage of just 53%, her lowest over the past six years. Her difficulties with cross-collection have left her vulnerable, particularly in high-pressure situations.

Earps will face her former club Manchester United this week, presenting a chance to turn around PSG’s fortunes in the UWCL. However, the distraction from her recent controversial book launch, coupled with the team’s ongoing struggles, presents a precarious situation for PSG as they seek to regain their competitive edge.