Riolo’s sharp and surprising take on PSG’s transfer window

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·21 October 2025

Riolo’s sharp and surprising take on PSG’s transfer window

Since this summer, it has become quite common for supporters and "experts" to criticize Paris Saint-Germain for its lack of recruitment during the summer 2025 transfer window. This criticism particularly arises after a match that is not won. This time, on the microphone of RMC Sport, journalist Daniel Riolo defended a PSG that only recruited Lucas Chevalier (23-year-old goalkeeper) and Ilya Zabarnyi (23-year-old defender).

Riolo: "It's very smart of PSG not to have recruited. It could have been more problematic than anything else."

"There is a real thought process, it fits into a clear and precise mindset. If you brought in a very good player in the midfield, a very good player upfront, you would create a form of competition that could certainly destabilize a group that was already performing exceptionally well. And, since you consider that in Ligue 1 you can be among the top places and compete for the title until the end by rotating the squad, waiting for the players to be rested, and that the Champions League is a championship. And you have shown that you can start at full throttle in January and be very effective on all fronts, I find it very smart of PSG not to have recruited. It could have been more problematic than anything else. I find the thought process very intelligent."

We are not used to seeing Riolo be so complimentary about PSG or coach Luis Enrique. But this has been happening gradually in recent months. It has become more difficult to criticize a coach and a club that are having a historic season with a Champions League victory.

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Yet, some still fully engage in criticism. As if Paris is always searching for its project, in urgency or drama. However, Paris's start to the season is far from a failure. There are a few points lost amid numerous injuries. That can happen. But we have also seen the team continue to display a certain quality of play and win often despite a very full infirmary, especially in attack.

There is no team that is not weakened by injuries, especially when they concentrate on a single position. All this requires necessary management considering the very busy year of 2025.

Recruiting was the obvious solution for everyone. But accumulating players is not everything. There is also a balance to be maintained in playing time and competition. You have to think about times when there are fewer injuries and therefore players disappointed not to play. PSG has great qualities in a still young squad, and space must be left for players to continue growing.

We also saw Liverpool recruit heavily this summer and struggle more in their play this season than last. There are no certainties with transfers. Not to mention financial management or the prices demanded by clubs. As well as the fact that Luis Enrique has clearly explained that he wants players who truly strengthen the group and have the right mentality. It's not just about having numbers. Nothing is simple for a European champion, already very well equipped.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.