Photo Source: The Guardian
Once again PSG is eliminated in the early rounds of the Champions League. This is the same story that has been repeating over the past few seasons, the same massive investments, the same premature exits.
This season, PSG had placed even more hopes of a possible European triumph with summer additions of Kylian Mbappe from and Dani Alves, but the biggest signing was that of Neymar for a world record fee of €222 million. These massive signings signalled PSG's serious intentions in mounting a challenge for the trophy.
Many believed it to be possible. Strong performances in the group stage indicated so, defeating Bayern Munich 3-0. However, the first signs of cracks forming came from the 3-1 defeat to Bayern at the Allianz Arena. Then came Real Madrid who smashed them 5-2 on aggregate despite their poor domestic form.
The Parc Des Prince side got a head start with a 1-0 advantage at the Bernabeu but folded under pressure resulting in Real Madrid scoring three goals. At home, they never threatened to overturn the deficit, losing 2-1 on the night and Veratti getting sent off.
Six years ago, PSG was acquired by Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) with the aim being winning the Champions League. But six years on and a handful of quarter-final appearances followed by successive exits in the first knockout round is an incredibly poor return of investment seeing as PSG will have spent over £1 billion on transfers once Mbappe’s original loan deal is made into a permanent deal.
PSG's Biggest Signings
| Season | Players | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 2013-14 | Cavani, Marquinhos | €109m |
| 2014-15 | David Luiz | €50m |
| 2015-16 | Di Maria, Kurzawa | €114m |
| 2016-17 | Draxler, Lo Celso | €136m |
| 2017-18 | Neymar, Mbappe | €418m |
PSG have realised that buying overnight success is not an easy task. The arrival of Neymar was supposed to herald glory days for PSG. However, they do not possess the attitude and professionalism to suggest they are at the pinnacle of the game. An example can be made of Manchester City, where spending a large amount is mixed with sound methodologies for success and a great manager.
Not to take anything away from PSG manager Unai Emery, it would be unfair to judge him as a failure with PSG’s domestic dominance this season being so formidable. However, his inability to win a single Champions League knockout tie is cause for worry.
In the end, PSG has yet to justify huge price tags that they have paid for the players brought in, and until then they would always be labelled as a failure.
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