'a Brutal Call' - Why Chevalier Has Replaced 'best In World'

Paris St-Germain caput coach Luis Enrique made a "brutal call" successful replacing Gianluigi Donnarumma pinch Lucas Chevalier arsenic nan European champions move distant from an "older-style goalkeeper".

Despite his heroics past play arsenic nan nine won nan Champions League, Italian Donnarumma was dropped for Wednesday's Super Cup gathering pinch Tottenham - and made disposable for transportation pinch 1 twelvemonth near connected his existent contract.

Chevalier, signed from Lille earlier this week, has been handed nan No1 spot and helped PSG overcome Tottenham connected penalties pursuing a melodramatic 2-2 tie successful Udine.

Luis Enrique said nan determination was "100%" his arsenic nan PSG leader opted for a "different profile" of goalkeeper successful nan 23-year-old Chevalier.

While Donnarumma's saves were important successful helping nan French broadside to glory successful May arsenic they thrashed Inter Milan 5-0, he has often been criticised for his expertise pinch nan shot astatine his feet.

French shot journalist Julian Laurens said "without Gianluigi Donnarumma I don't deliberation PSG triumph nan Champions League".

Yet he besides understood why they went "with personification different" arsenic he told BBC Radio 5 Live: "They person made a call, a sadistic call. Lucas Chevalier is amended connected nan ball, amended successful nan air, amended pinch distribution, but he doesn't person nan experience.

"All eyes were connected him arsenic he replaces astir apt nan champion goalkeeper successful nan world correct now."

In making a determination that has amazed galore successful world football, Luis Enrique believes Chevalier will amended PSG moreover more, particularly pinch his team's playing style.

The French keeper has been likened to a five-a-side subordinate owed to nan value of his touch, imagination and expertise to break lines pinch his passing from nan back.

Chevalier tin efficaciously move into an outfield subordinate for PSG erstwhile successful possession arsenic they look to build an onslaught from their ain protect line.

Replacing Donnarumma will beryllium tough, but he stepped up successfully arsenic Lille's first prime successful nan 2022-23 play aft conscionable a play successful Ligue 2 pinch Valenciennes. Pressure should not beryllium an issue.

Chevalier was named Ligue 1's champion goalkeeper past word pinch 11 cleanable sheets arsenic his broadside vanished fifth, while earning a call-up to France's elder squad.

Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson told BBC Radio 5 Live: "The goalkeeper business is simply a immense determination from Luis Enrique. Gianluigi Donnarumma is nan champion changeable stopper and he is nan champion type of nan older-style goalkeeper, but they person been replaced by nan modern-day keeper who play successful nan protect third.

"Luis Enrique is leaning into nan measurement that modern teams want to play and build from nan back. PSG are looking for that ninth degree, that mini small spot of percent of advantage and pinch Lucas Chevalier they consciousness they tin further refine their style."

Signs of what Chevalier will bring were seen during his debut against Spurs, pinch PSG opting to spell short connected goal-kicks and showing nary fearfulness erstwhile utilizing him successful wide play.

He should person done amended pinch Cristian Romero's header that put nan Premier League broadside 2-0 ahead, but showed awesome reflexes successful a stunning prevention to push Joao Palhinha's effort connected to nan bar, though Micky van de Ven netted nan rebound for Spurs' opener.

Chevalier past stopped Van de Ven's punishment successful nan shootout arsenic PSG won aft a superb comeback from 2-0 down.

It was a bold move by Luis Enrique to driblet Donnarumma and move to nan Frenchman, but 1 that could beryllium a masterstroke successful nan early if Chevalier lives up to awesome expectations.

But why would a goalkeeper, favourite to beryllium crowned nan world's champion this year, beryllium stiff retired for illustration this?

Luis Enrique has simply stated he wanted a "different profile" to what Donnarumma gave them.

Before nan Super Cup, nan PSG leader clarified it was "100%" his determination to trim nan Italian from his squad, pinch Donnarumma "disappointed and disheartened".

The 26-year-old arrived from AC Milan connected a free transportation successful 2021 and enhanced his estimation successful Paris.

But pinch shot continuing to evolve, goalkeepers are not conscionable changeable stoppers and utilized arsenic deep-lying playmakers to unfastened up a caller magnitude of play. This is why Ederson has proved truthful valuable for Manchester City.

Pep Guardiola's broadside person been linked pinch Donnarumma, but Laurens said he is "not a Pep Guardiola-type of keeper".

"Manchester City are nan only nine successful for Gianluigi Donnarumma astatine nan moment," he added. "I'm amazed by it. But he is not bully successful nan aerial and not awesome connected nan ball."