PSG Consider Lucas Chevalier Recall After Safonov Scrutiny
Paris Saint-Germain face an early decision in goal after their winless opening to the Ligue 1 season and a damaging 2-1 defeat at home to Monaco brought Matvey Safonov’s place under renewed scrutiny.
The reigning French champions have not won any of their first three league matches, with concerns extending across a defence that has looked vulnerable. Safonov, however, has drawn particular attention after his positioning was questioned on Monaco’s decisive goal at the Parc des Princes.
Luis Enrique must now decide whether to persist with the Russian goalkeeper or restore Lucas Chevalier, the 24-year-old Frenchman who has had very limited involvement this year.
Chevalier waiting for another opportunity
Chevalier has not played a competitive fixture since PSG’s penalty-shootout win over Marseille in the Trophée des Champions in January. He remains available within the senior squad, though, and could be considered for a return as the club seek to halt their difficult start.
A switch would be another significant alteration in a position that has repeatedly generated debate during PSG’s QSI ownership. Enrique has already shown he is prepared to make major calls between the posts, having previously displaced Gianluigi Donnarumma in favour of Chevalier.
Safonov’s recent decline has put that hierarchy back in focus. His contribution to PSG’s successive title-winning campaigns had earned him goodwill, but the Monaco result has intensified pressure on him to respond quickly.
Enrique backs his side despite Monaco defeat
Although questions persist over his goalkeeper, Enrique defended the overall level of his team after the Monaco loss. The Spaniard argued that PSG’s display merited a different outcome despite the result.
“I’m happy with what I saw,” Enrique said. “It is the start of the season. We are not yet at our best, but we deserved to win this game.”
He also pointed to the importance of his players’ mentality as PSG work through a difficult spell. “How can I explain it? Football can sometimes be hard to explain. I want to stress the mentality of the players. It will be an exciting league season. We have to get ready for what comes next.”
The uncertainty arrives shortly after PSG confirmed new contracts for Enrique and several prominent first-team players. Those extensions were intended to reinforce continuity, but the absence of a settled goalkeeper in convincing form has become an immediate concern.
European selection will be closely watched
PSG’s forthcoming European opener against Slovan Bratislava gives Enrique a prompt opportunity to reveal his thinking. Retaining Safonov would represent a clear vote of confidence, but it would also leave the goalkeeper under considerable pressure to produce the clean sheet that could ease the debate around his role.
Selecting Chevalier instead would offer the Frenchman a route back after months without competitive minutes and signal another change in PSG’s evolving goalkeeping order.
