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Thomas Hindle

How PSG should line up for the 2023-24 season: Goncalo Ramos and Ousmane Dembele go straight in as teenager Warren Zaire-Emery steps into midfield

The French champions are set to move on from a number of their star players, leaving spaces for new signings and academy products to step into

For once, there might just be some tactical flexibility at Paris Saint-Germain this season. Luis Enrique has a number of interesting options throughout his squad, and can play around with different positions. This might just be conducive to building something interesting, not least because of the low expectations for his side this year.

Changes are inevitable, especially up front. Lionel Messi has gone, Neymar has been told he can leave, and Kylian Mbappe will either be benched or sold, whether he likes it or not. Marco Verratti, meanwhile, is looking increasingly likely to seal a move to the Saudi Pro League, leaving a void in central midfield.

Still, there are some certainties in his starting XI. Gianluigi Donnarumma will definitely start in goal, while Achraf Hakimi and Marquinhos are locks to form 50 percent of the back four. Given the sudden need for reinforcements in attack, new signings Goncalo Ramos and Ousmane Dembele figure to come straight in, too.

Elsewhere, though, there's room for guesswork. Summer signing Manuel Ugarte should be in with a shot every week, but still has a lot to learn. Fabian Ruiz seems to have impressed the new manager, but will face heavy competition from Vitinha for a starting spot. And although Lucas Hernandez will start the season at left-back, he could lose the position once Nuno Mendes returns from injury. Add the likelihood of at least one more new signing — perhaps an attacking midfielder or another forward — and this isn't as easy to predict as it perhaps should be three days from the start of the season.

So how should the Parisians line up once the campaign gets properly underway? GOAL picks PSG's best XI for this season...

  • Donnarumma 2022-23Getty

    GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma

    Donnarumma is one of few sure-fire starters for PSG every week. There were some concerns about the Italy goalkeeper's performances last season, with the blunders becoming more common — especially in PSG's losses. But he's a reliable presence on most days, and world-class at his best.

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  • Achraf Hakimi PSGGetty Images

    RB: Achraf Hakimi

    Hakimi enjoyed an excellent start to 2022-23, but saw his campaign take a downturn for a multitude of reasons after the turn of the year. Still, when he's around, he's among Europe's best right-backs. There's no reason for that to change anytime soon.

  • Marquinhos PSG 2022-23Getty Images

    CB: Marquinhos

    There were some rough noises suggesting that Marquinhos could be sold after he admitted that he wanted Kylian Mbappe to stay at PSG. Those have since died down, and the club captain seems poised to be a regular.

  • Milan Skriniar PSG 2023-24Getty Images

    CB: Milan Skriniar

    The first of newcomers to have presumably nailed down a starting spot, Milan Skriniar projects to be an immediate upgrade at a position of need. There have been a few mistakes in the pre-season, but he will likely be back to his best soon.

  • Lucas Hernandez PSG 2023-24Getty Images

    LB: Lucas Hernandez

    This spot is Hernandez's, but, presumably, not for long. Nuno Mendes, the preferred starter, is recovering from a hamstring injury, and should be poised to take over within the next few months. Consider Hernandez a fill-in for now, and utility option afterwards.

  • Warren Zaire Emery PSGGetty Images

    CM: Warren Zaire-Emery

    Warren Zaire-Emery, it seems, finally has his chance. An exciting box-to-box midfielder capable of playing in tight areas, the teenager not only projects to be a reliable squad member, but perhaps also a game-changer for Luis Enrique. He will need to fight his way into regular inclusion, though.

  • ugarte(C)Getty Images

    CM: Manuel Ugarte

    Is Ugarte ready? The Uruguayan has looked shaky at times during pre-season, but has still been a regular for Luis Enrique. Although he may be technically sloppy every now and then, Ugarte's physical strength and defensive instincts should be enough to get him through what will undoubtedly be an adjustment period following his arrival from Sporting CP.

  • Fabian Ruiz PSG 2022-23Getty Images

    CM: Fabian Ruiz

    Ruiz never really got his chance under Christophe Galtier, but he's looked good in pre-season and appears to have won the trust of the new manager. An extended run in the side could work wonders for him, especially with the security of Ugarte allowing him room to roam and create. He's not Verratti, but he just might be a better fit in this configuration.

  • Ousmane Dembele Barcelona Real Sociedad Copa del Rey celebrate 2022-23Getty Images

    RW: Ousmane Dembele

    Though Barcelona have dragged their feet in agreeing to sell Dembele to PSG, the deal is now close to completion and the France international should come straight into the team on the right-hand side.

    If he can stay clear of injuries, then Dembele promises to be an assist machine in Ligue 1, which could in turn give him the confidence to finally thrive in the Champions League.

  • Gonçalo Ramos PSGPSG.fr

    ST: Goncalo Ramos

    Even before all the drama regarding Mbappe and Neymar, PSG's biggest transfer need heading into the summer was a new No.9, and they have belatedly got their man with the signing of Ramos from Benfica.

    The 22-year-old still has plenty of room to grow after his breakout season last term, and he offers the PSG attack the kind of hard-working, central spearhead that they have been crying out for for years.

  • Marco Asensio PSG 2023-24Getty Images

    LW: Marco Asensio

    Who plays regularly off the left for PSG remains a bit of mystery for now. If we're to presume both Neymar will be sold in the coming weeks and Mbappe is unavailable for selection one way or another, then the incumbent from within the squad should be new arrival Marco Asensio. However, the ex-Real Madrid man is probably more comfortable coming off the other flank.

    Reports of interest in Eintracht Frankfurt forward Randal Kolo Muani could lead to him taking this spot down the line, but for now we've gone with Asensio due to a lack of alternatives.