PSG – Rennes: Ekitiké, Renato Sanches, Bitshiabu, Zaire-Emery, Soler… “Second knives” who play big

Renato Sanches

Unfortunately for PSG, his reputation did not fail. The Portuguese midfielder, who was bought from Lille last summer for 15 million euros, suffered injuries during his first season in Paris. He had to settle for 19 appearances for a fairly starved total playing time of 617 minutes. Renato Sanches made his comeback in Brest last week with a participation at the end of the competition. He has a profile that can be valuable for the Parisian midfield. That’s all he has to prove next spring, in an overcrowded industry that will also see loan yields.

Carlos Soler

The former Valencia player has never shown the level he had in La Liga. Despite honorable stats (7 goals, 4 assists in 30 games), Carlos Soler is too often obliterated in the offensive animation. His adaptation was not facilitated by indiscriminate use in a sector cracked by Leo Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappé. The Brazilian’s injury opened a hole for him. He was able to rush past his goal with a full game in Brest last week, arguably his best in Paris. He must confirm it to convince that the future can be written with him.

Hugo equipment

The opportunities, he had them, no surprise. The Paris attack lacked too much reserve to be different. The only real highlight in Galtier’s squad with Kylian Mbappé, Hugo Ekitiké had his good spells, especially just before and just after the World Cup. But the former Remois, on loan and whose purchase option will most likely be exercised at the end of the season, has generally not shown the level required by PSG’s demands. Its potential remains significant. That’s all he has to show at the end of the season so that his place in Paris’ attacking sector is not jeopardized.

Warren Zaire-Emery

His case is a bit different. Despite the competition, Warren Zaire-Emery was able to take advantage of the opportunities presented to him to showcase his incredible talent. His performances and his often successful entry into the game even called for more playing time. It’s up to Christophe Galtier and the Paris leaders to show their young 17-year-old midfielder that they are ready to give him the place he deserves in the final games of the year. Otherwise, WZE might be tempted to look elsewhere. And there is no shortage of suitors.

El Chadaille Bitshiabu

He’s the other young Parisian shooter starting to make his mark. But not for the same reasons as Zaire-Emery. In the case of El-Chadaille Bitshiabu, it was rather the lack of manpower in defense that left him scratching playing time. The young 17-year-old Parisienne made some mistakes, especially against Monaco (3-1), but the club believes in his potential . And given the current absence from PSG’s rear, Bitshiabu will have opportunities to progress and climb the hierarchy of Paris defenders ahead of next season.

Fabian Ruiz/Vitinha

Unlike the players mentioned above, they tend to be starters and may be a little less like “second blades.” But they all have something to prove. Fabian Ruiz and Vitinha have had AC since the start of the season and have generally failed to live up to expectations when they landed in the capital last summer. They are not necessarily immune to a demotion in the hierarchy of Parisian circles, a particularly dense sector. In that sense, the end of the season can also be decisive for them.