Ensemble PSG Podcast

Paris Saint-Germain is once again the center of the footballing world and it has nothing to do with their victory on Saturday to open the Ligue 1 campaign.

On this episode of PSG Talking, I'm joined by Guillaume Delaporte and Matt Gooding to discuss the reports that Lionel Messi will be announced as a PSG player this week. We also spend a few minutes on that 2-1 win over ES Troyes AC and answer a few questions from listeners.

Of course, the show starts with Messi. Guillaume has been following PSG since well before the Qatar Sports Investments takeover and I ask him what it's like to see his club sign a player of Messi's quality. Matt shares the reaction from the English press and we discuss whether Messi will be seen as a villain now that he's joined the club that most in the media despise.

Next, we break down the financials of the Messi deal. Why couldn't FC Barcelona keep Messi and how did PSG figure out a way to make the numbers work while also having Neymar Jr. and Kylian Mbappé on the roster?

Our Messi chat wraps up with a debate about whether PSG is now the favorites to win the UEFA Champions League or if a club like Chelsea FC stands in their way with a more well-rounded squad.

The second half of the show focuses on the match against Troyes. We drool over the potential of the team with Achraf Hakimi in the right-back position and applaud Ander Herrera's passing ability. Mauro Icardi surprised many with his performance and Keylor Navas saved the day with a flurry of late-game saves.

However, the match against Troyes did expose some defensive issues and we wonder why Mauricio Pochettino played Mbappé 90 minutes after only just returning to training days prior.

The show concludes with us answer questions sent in via Twitter, including Pochettino's playing style, Ligue 1 media rights, and how to make the French league stronger now that more eyes will be watching with Messi's impending arrival.

As always, thank you for listening, and be sure to subscribe and rate the show wherever you download your podcasts.

Sometimes, there's breaking news that's so good that you have to drop everything and record an emergency podcast. This is one of those days.

On this episode of PSG Talking, I'm joined by Mel Brennan, Marc Damon, and James Teague, to discuss Lionel Messi officially leaving FC Barcelona. The shocking news was announced on Thursday and speculation immediately went to what it means for Paris Saint-Germain.

We open the show with everyone on the panel sharing their initial reaction to Messi being available in the transfer market only days before the start of several leagues around Europe, including Ligue 1. After announcing a five-year contract with Messi last July, why was Barcelona forced to cut ties with him now?

Next, we discuss whether PSG is a viable option for Messi and how he would fit into the squad as currently constructed? With Manchester City signing Jack Grealish for a record fee, are they now out of the running to sign Messi?

Assuming Messi does come to PSG, we debate the impact his arrival would have on Kylian Mbappé who is in the last year of his contract. Will the 22-year-old be happy being surrounded by so many veteran stars, or, would he prefer to leave next summer for Real Madrid where he would undoubtedly be the face of an entire league and country.

The show also includes a conversation about ESPN, who recently purchased the U.S. broadcasting rights from beIN Sports, what PSG's starting lineup could look like with Messi, and whether Mauricio Pochettino is the right manager for a team of superstars.

As always, thank you for listening, and be sure to subscribe and rate the show wherever you download your podcasts.

Nothing signals the start of a new season of Paris Saint-Germain football quite like supporters already calling for the manager to be sacked and a change at goalkeeper, yet, here we are.

On this episode of PSG Talking, I'm joined by long-time contributor, Guillaume Delaporte, and the two of us had a chat on Sunday after the final whistle of PSG's 1-0 loss to Lille OSC in the Trophée des Champions.

We begin the show by talking about that defeat to Lille who continues to have PSG's number after beating them to the Ligue 1 title last season. While PSG's squad was missing several regular starters, there were a few who put in a good shift, including newcomers Achraf Hakimi and Georginio Wijnaldum.

Next, Guillaume and I debate whether PSG should start Keylor Navas in the most important matches this season, or make the switch to Gianluigi Donnarumma. Navas is a fan favorite and a leader in the dressing room. His accolades speak for themselves but he does turn 35 in December and you have to ask if his best days are behind him. Meanwhile, the 22-year-old Donnarumma is coming off a Player of the Tournament performance with Italy in the 2020 UEFA European Championship. It's very possible PSG has the best goalkeeper in the world in Donnarumma and will let him watch from the bench the majority of the season.

Following our Lille talk, we switch gears to break down the situation regarding Kylian Mbappé. Guillaume and I both feel he will move to Real Madrid at some point, either this summer or next, but the lack of communication from Mbappé's camp is deafening. Could signing Paul Pogba be the move to convince PSG's superstar to stick around for a few more seasons?

Other topics we cover include whether or not Mauricio Pochettino can get the team performing at an elite level, especially offensively, Mauro Icardi's ability to disappear in matches, and we have a little fun discussing which European league PSG should join if they ever left Ligue 1.

As always, thank you for listening, and be sure to subscribe and rate the show wherever you download your podcasts.

When it comes to the summer transfer window, no team treats its fans better than Paris Saint-Germain.

On this episode of PSG Talking, I'm joined by Guillaume Delaporte and James Teague to discuss all of the latest additions to the PSG squad and whether the new faces are enough to convince Kylian Mbappé to sign an extension.

Up first, we break down arguably the signing of the transfer window, Achraf Hakimi from Inter Milan. The highly-rated right-back is exactly the type of player PSG desperately needed and at a reasonable transfer fee, too. With Hakimi solidifying the right-back position, does PSG have a defensive back four capable of winning the UEFA Champions League?

PSG continued to address its defense by adding Sergio Ramos on a free transfer from Real Madrid. Despite being 35-years-old, Ramos is regarded as one of the toughest and most talented center-backs in the game today. We debate whether he could replace Presnel Kimpembe in the starting lineup, especially for big Champions League matches.

Gianluigi Donnarumma isn't officially a PSG player but it's expected to be announced soon. Should Mauricio Pochettino replace Keylor Navas in goal if it's clear that the Italy international is the better player?

We conclude the podcast by discussing additional holes in the squad, including the need to add a talented midfielder like Paul Pogba. We also discuss whether PSG are now the favorites to win the Champions League and how long Pochettino will last in Paris if he struggles to get off to a fast start.

As always, thank you for listening, and be sure to subscribe and rate the show wherever you download your podcasts.

Want more PSG? Visit the PSG Talk Podcast Network page and subscribe to PSG Talking, The 1970, and 24th & Parc.

All episodes of PSG Talking are special, but this one even more so as we're joined by the most influential journalist when it comes to football transfers.

On today's show, I'm pleased to hand over the hosting duties to PSG Talk writer, Eduardo Razo, and he is joined by Fabrizio Romano to discuss all of the latest transfer news surrounding Paris Saint-Germain.

We begin the show by discussing the breaking news of PSG signing Georginio Wijnaldum after it appeared the former Liverpool FC midfielder was heading to FC Barcelona. How did PSG convince him to come to the French capital? Hint: It wasn't all about money.

Next, Razo asks about the reports linking Gianluigi Donnarumma with a move to PSG. How did one of the best young goalkeepers in the world end up as a free agent and why does he want to come to PSG?

One signing many PSG supporters are eager for is Achraf Hakimi at Inter Milan. However, as Romano explains, the Italian club will only sell for an impressive price as he was one of the best right-backs in Serie A last season.

The show concludes with a conversation about Mauro Icardi potentially leaving PSG this summer, whether Cristiano Ronaldo will end his career at PSG, and the latest on Kylian Mbappé's contract situation with Romano reporting that Liverpool FC is out of the race to sign the Frenchman.

As always, thank you for listening, and be sure to subscribe and rate the show wherever you download your podcasts.

Want more PSG? Visit the PSG Talk Podcast Network page and subscribe to PSG Talking, The 1970, and 24th & Parc.

The season has only just concluded and already, Paris Saint-Germain is making headlines. It's going to be a long summer...

On this episode of PSG Talking, I'm joined by Cose Espinosa and Carl-Oscar Källström to discuss PSG's managerial situation and the latest transfer rumors.

Up first, we break down the situation regarding Mauricio Pochettino where a shocking report revealed that Tottenham Hotspur had reached out to him regarding a potential return to the North London club.

We debate the validity of the report and whether PSG fans should be upset that their recently-appointed manager had contact with his former team. I also ask the panel about Zinedine Zidane stepping down at Real Madrid and whether that could be influencing Pochettino's desire to look for an exit in case PSG makes a move for the French football legend.

The first part of the podcast concludes with us applauding Thomas Tuchel and Thiago Silva on winning the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea FC and questioning whether PSG made the right decision to move on from both.

On the second half of the podcast, we discuss the most credible transfer rumors, including Achraf Hakimi and Theo Hernandez potentially coming in to bolster PSG's full-back positions. We also debate whether PSG needs to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma and if FC Barcelona's recent signings will convince Lionel Messi to stay or look for a move to the French capital.

The show concludes with us listing playing PSG should try and sell this summer and what the latest transfer rumors and managerial changes could mean for Kylian Mbappé signing an extension.

As always, thank you for listening, and be sure to subscribe and rate the show wherever you download your podcasts.

Want more PSG? Visit the PSG Talk Podcast Network page and subscribe to PSG Talking, The 1970, and 24th & Parc.

Paris Saint-Germain's 2020-21 season came to an anti-climatic end with only one trophy to show for its efforts. Now that the dust has settled, it's time to figure out what went wrong and how to improve for next season.

On this episode of PSG Talking, I'm joined by Cosé Espinosa for a one-on-one chat about PSG's campaign in which they finished runners-up to Lille OSC in Ligue 1 and fell short once again of their UEFA Champions League dreams.

Up first, it's all about Ligue 1. We look back at the season and try to figure out where things went wrong and whether the managerial change had anything to do with the inconsistent play we saw from the squad this season.

With Lille winning the title, many expect the club to sell its best players. We discuss whether that's the best strategy or would Lille and French football be better served if they kept their squad together and attempted to make a run at the knockout stage of the Champions League.

Looking ahead to next season, we assess how long Mauricio Pochettino will have next season to turn things around and debate whether PSG would sack him right now if Zinedine Zidane became available.

Towards the end of the show, we highlight a few transfer targets we would like to see arrive in the summer, including Eduardo Camavinga from Stade Rennais. We also give an update on Kylian Mbappé's contract situation, name our PSG MVP, and I continue my campaign to try and get Twitch to buy the United States television rights to Ligue 1 from beIN Sports.

As always, thank you for listening, and be sure to subscribe and rate the show wherever you download your podcasts.

Want more PSG? Visit the PSG Talk Podcast Network page and subscribe to PSG Talking, The 1970, and 24th & Parc.

Paris Saint-Germain was unsuccessful in keeping a club that didn't even want to be in the UEFA Champions League from reaching the final and they only have themselves to blame.

On this episode of PSG Talking, I'm joined by Cose Espinosa and Carl-Oscar Källström to discuss PSG's 2-0 defeat (4-1 on aggregate) to Manchester City in the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League.

After an impressive run in the tournament, defeating FC Barcelona and FC Bayern Munich in the knockout stage, PSG's fizzled out like a defective firecracker against the Premier League leaders. We discuss what happened and perhaps more importantly, who is to blame.

In the second leg at the Etihad Stadium, Mauro Icardi was called upon to start alongside Neymar Jr. and Angel Di Maria, but the former Inter Milan striker struggled mightily and was subbed off shortly after half-time in favor of Moise Kean. Is Icardi such a poor fit that he should be sold this summer or can PSG build around him?

Kylian Mbappé was left on the bench and didn't play a second in the second leg. Should Mauricio Pochettino have started him to try and get an early goal or was he right to rest his injured superstar?

We also discuss Di Maria's sending off in the 69th minute and the resulting comments from CBS commentator Jim Beglin who used the phrase "Latino temperament" to describe the Argentina international's questionable decision-making.

We wrap up the show by grading Pochettino's performance against City, sharing who we want to win the Champions League final, and whether this season should be defined as a success if they come from behind to win Ligue 1.

As always, thank you for listening, and be sure to subscribe and rate the show wherever you download your podcasts.

Want more PSG? Visit the PSG Talk Podcast Network page and subscribe to PSG Talking, The 1970, and 24th & Parc.

Paris Saint-Germain picked the worst time of the season to revert back to their old ways and now, they have an uphill battle in their quest for UEFA Champions League glory.

On this episode of PSG Talking, I’m joined by Matt Gooding and Guillaume Delaporte to break down PSG’s 2-1 loss to Manchester City in the semi-final of the Champions League.

The match was a tale of two halves, but we try to start with the positives. In the first 45 minutes, PSG was able to score a goal through a Marquinhos header and Angel Di Maria skipped around defenders with ease. Truth be told, PSG should have probably scored two goals as Neymar Jr. and Kylian Mbappé both had excellent opportunities, but they were chances that would go unfulfilled.

It doesn’t take us long to get to the negatives of this match for PSG. In the entire second half, PSG struggled to move the ball out of their own end and City’s pressing created chance after chance.

Even with PSG causing their own problems, City still couldn’t score. It took an uncharacteristic mistake from Keylor Navas on a Kevin De Bruyne cross and one of the worst walls of all time on a Riyad Mahrez free-kick to push City into the lead. Was it Pep Guardiola’s tactics or was this simply a case of PSG giving the game away?

We also talk about Idrissa Gueye’s ridiculous challenge that led to a red card, that mistake from Navas that led to City’s first goal, whether Neymar should have been awarded a penalty in the first half, and look ahead to the return leg at the Etihad Stadium.

As always, thank you for listening, and be sure to subscribe and rate the show wherever you download your podcasts.

Want more PSG? Visit the PSG Talk Podcast Network page and subscribe to PSG Talking, The 1970, and 24th & Parc.

This week might have been the most chaotic since news broke in 2017 that Neymar Jr. was leaving FC Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain.

On this episode of PSG Talking, I'm joined by Matt Gooding and Marc Damon to discuss the rise and fall of the European Super League and look ahead to PSG's upcoming UEFA Champions League tie against Manchester City.

We begin the show with the Super League and the owners of the 12 clubs who decided to break off and start their own European competition before realizing fans would be upset and backed out. With many of the teams in dire financial situations, should fans feel some level of sympathy or does it simply come down to poor money management?

With the Super League's website still live as of the publication of this podcast, we wonder whether or not the league is truly dead or if it will be revived at some point. Can an American-style competition ever truly work in European football?

Next, we look ahead to the match against Manchester City at the Parc des Princes and give our prediction. What starting lineup will Mauricio Pochettino go with and will he surprise fans by starting the very much in-form Mauro Icardi? I also share my conspiracy theory that UEFA will go out of their way to help PSG win the Champions League as they're the only team left that didn't decide to blow up the entire tournament.

As always, thank you for listening, and be sure to subscribe and rate the show wherever you download your podcasts.

Want more PSG? Visit the PSG Talk Podcast Network page and subscribe to PSG Talking, The 1970, and 24th & Parc.