PROFILE | Jean-Philippe Krasso still standing, despite Paris FC’s evolving project | OneFootball

Jean-Philippe Krasso is something of an “I’m still standing” man. The Ivorian returned to France two years after having left. He joined Red Star in Serbia in 2023 but was not prolific, netting just nine goals in 36 appearances.

But on his return, Krasso was prolific in Ligue 2, netting 17 goals in 31 games, as Paris FC earned promotion to Ligue 1. But, naturally, there were fears that Krasso would be once again cast aside.

Les Parisiens spent big in the summer as they look to build a project to challenge France’s elite. One of their big signings was Willem Geubbels, the former Lyon and Monaco forward, who was prolific in the Swiss top-flight with St Gallen last season. The decision to drop the Frenchman attests more to his own shortcomings (two goals in 14 games), but Krasso has at times filled the goal-scoring void and showed himself capable of competing at this level. 

Krasso in Ivory Coast’s AFCON squad, despite big-name absentees

Krasso has two goals in 16 games this season (although he has started just eight of those games), whilst he has also proven himself to be a creator, with the striker figuring inside the top 10 for expected assists per 90 in Ligue 1. He continues to feature prominently, despite Paris FC’s attempts to replace him during the summer transfer window. With the likes of Arnaud Kalimuendo, Martin Terrier, Elye Wahi, and Lucas Stassin linked with a January move to the Stade Jean Bouin, it may just be a matter of time until the Ivorian is definitively replaced at the Parisian club, but he could still do a job for another Ligue 1 side, as he has shown.

With 19 goals in 47 games since joining Paris FC, his scoring record is better there than it is at any of his previous clubs, and at 28, he is still in his prime. Add to that he remains an Ivory Coast international, and was included in their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) squad at the expense of the likes of Evann Guessand, Simon Adingra, and Nicolas Pépé (although his absence was not on a sporting basis, as Emerse Faé confirmed), and you don’t get the impression that this is a player on the wane, regardless of the fact that he may become somewhat redundant at Paris FC in the coming months. At Ivory Coast, a bright new generation is emerging, at Paris FC, the writing may be on the wall, but Krasso is still standing.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle