Football Season Guide

After a disappointing 2016-17 campaign, Paris Saint-Germain go into the new season with the aim of once again being the dominant force in France and making improved headway in the Champions League. Unai Emery is, therefore, a coach under pressure despite PSG winning both domestic cups last term. A poor start to the league season saw Monaco amass what proved to be an unassailable lead but there were positive signs in the second half of the campaign that showed the Parisian side were starting to come good. Indeed, but for an incredible mental blip against Barcelona in the Champions League, they could have been relatively satisfied with the improvement in their fortunes and that is no doubt one reason why Emery has been kept on. The club completed the biggest transfer of the summer with a world record move for Neymar being sealed amid much fanfare. They were found to be lacking in cutting edge at vital times last season and the Brazilian superstar has already shown he can provide that with a goal and an assist on his debut. Far too much pressure was put on Edinson Cavani as a lone striker last season and he is not without his flaws but looks like he is already thriving playing alongside Neymar. Other than that, PSG have not altered their squad significantly over the summer months. Veteran left-back Maxwell has retired, replaced by Yann Berchiche of Real Sociedad, while Serge Aurier will also leave the club in the coming weeks as Dani Alves has been brought in to feature there after impressing with Juventus last term. Blaise Matuidi decided to go in the opposite direction to the Italian champions after a successful stint in Paris. Simply winning at home will not be enough for PSG this season especially with the massive signing of Neymar and other huge potential arrivals – they need to be successful in Europe, too, so the pressure is on Emery and his players.