Gab Marcotti and Julien Laurens wonder if Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is a right signing for PSG. (1:16)
On Friday morning, in certain neighborhoods of Paris, we may already see PSG shirts with his name on them. Khvicha Kvaratskhalia’s transfer from Naples to the French capital had not yet been made official, but some enthusiasts may not wait. The 13 letters of his name, the number 7 and his new hero already left their mark on his shirt.
To say that Paris is excited about the arrival of the Georgian foreign winger is an understatement. For a fan base that has welcomed the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappé in recent seasons, there is a need for superstars, artists and showmen. Kvara”, hired for 65 million euros over 4 and a half years, effectively succeeds. Of course, it’s not at the point (neither in football terms nor celebrity) of the “MNM” of in the past, but in any case, there aren’t many players who are currently.
Kvaratskhelia, who turns 24 months old, comes to Paris to write her destiny, create her legacy and take it to the level.
It’s fair to say he was a great at Napoli, arguably among the greatest to feature at the Diego Maradona Stadium. Two seasons ago, he took Serie A by storm with Luciano Spalletti as manager, Victor Osimhen up front (31 goals in 38 games) and a strong supporting cast. Kvaratskhelia was a total unknown when he arrived in Italy, but fans and pundits alike quickly discovered his pace, dribbling skills, eye for goal and bravery both in and out of possession.
The former Dinamo Batumi winger, signed for thirteen. 3 million euros, has surprised on the left wing, with 12 goals and thirteen assists in 34 league games that led the Neapolitans to their first Italian name in 33 years and since the times of Maradona. Thus was born the legend of “Kvaradona”: he was named Serie A player of the season and young player of the Champions League crusade (two goals, 4 assists in nine games).
Although the last 18 months have not reached exactly the same heights, he left Napoli this week with some pretty numbers considering it was his first time playing outside of Georgia or Russia. He leaves Italy with 46 goals and 48 assists. In 191 games in all competitions in just two and a half seasons!
For PSG, Kvaratskhelia was the only option, especially having tried to recruit him last summer. When Marcus Rashford was offered to the Parisians a few weeks ago, the club said no. When Karim Adeyemi became an possibility, the club also demurred. Last August, they’d turned down the opportunity to bring Jadon Sancho, and even Milan’s Rafael Leão, to the French capital. PSG manager Luis Enrique had only ever wanted Khvicha for his attack.
At his workplace in the new ultra-modern educational apartment in Poissy, southwest of Paris, Enrique is already thinking about how to integrate his new number 7 on the left, on the right, as a false nine or even a number. . . the 10 major. aggressor. He thinks that “Kvara” can play anywhere.
In his fluid but structured 4-3-3 formation, Harry believes that the Georgian is a game-changer and ticks all the boxes: young, versatile, technically exceptional, able to work hard and a smart learner. But he still wants to be fine-tuned, a challenge Enrique loves to take on.
Paris had plenty of wingers and wide players in the first team squad before this signing, including Bradley Barcola, Désiré Doué, Ousmane Dembélé, and Lee Kang-in. Dembélé has been outstanding so far this season, Barcola started the season on fire only to go scoreless in his past 10 games, Doué didn’t show his worth until December, and Lee is an effective option though limited in where he can play.
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The arrival of Kvaratskhelia changes the dynamic. Regardless of where he plays, he will offer more balance to the PSG attack that had been far too reliant on the Achraf Hakimi-Dembélé duo on the right so far this season. It will mean more unpredictability for PSG’s opponents, more diversity in attack for the Parisians, and less pressure on Hakimi & Co. to deliver all the time.
For Enrique and Luis Campos, PSG’s sporting director, their new winger is the best replacement for Mbappé. Not in terms of profiles (they are very different players) nor in terms of statistics, because Kvaratskhelia will never score 40 goals per season like Kylian did before, but in terms of balance of the team’s attack and offers a constant risk in either . flanks. Array is a player who can destabilize a defense at any time and from anywhere on the field, especially in tight spaces.
In the end, PSG couldn’t pass up the opportunity to sign their man, and everyone interested in the club is eager to see him get started. Kvaratskhelia is so compatible with Enrique’s vision that he is visibly excited about his arrival, which is unusual for a cold coach.
The move will most likely not be completed in time for him to play Lens on Saturday, nor will he be eligible to face Manchester City in next week’s big Champions League match, so he is expected to arrive on PSG. home debut against Reims on January 25.
The noisy Parc des Princes will be able to give you all the love your new team icon deserves.