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PSG made 'glaring mistake by disrespecting' Gianluigi Donnarumma as ex-star says footwork complaints 'make no sense' after Pep Guardiola & Man City swooped in to rescue goalkeeper

  • Donnarumma moved to City
  • Dropped from the squad entirely over weak footwork
  • Ghoulam believes PSG have made a mistake
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  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Despite playing a crucial role in the French side's first ever Champions League success, Donnarumma was told he would not be the team's first choice goalkeeper in the current season, with Lucas Chevalier joining from Lille. The Italian shot stopper eventually made a late transfer to Manchester City, though he admitted he was "disappointed" with Luis Enrique's' decision to drop him.

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    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Chevalier was reportedly preferred by the Spanish coach because of his ability on the ball, which is often claimed to be one of Donnarumma's main weaknesses.

    Former Napoli defender Ghoulam, however, says that the fact Pep Guardiola and City have signed him proves that concerns about his footwork are wide of the mark, given the legendary coach's preference for a goalkeeper who can play out from the back.

  • WHAT GHOULAM SAID

    "PSG made a huge mistake and disrespected Gigio. They wanted to please Luis Enrique because he won, but you can't do this to a totemic player, decisive for the victories themselves. Gigio is among the two or three best goalkeepers in the world and will be among the ten for the Ballon d'Or" he said in an interview to Corriere dello Sport.

    "Chevalier is very good, but I wonder: if Gigio hadn't really been as good with his feet as people say, enough to make PSG change, would someone like Pep have signed him? This excuse makes no sense."

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    WHAT NEXT FOR DONNARUMMA?

    Donnarumma will hope to replicate the form he showed at PSG with his new club, City. Meanwhile, PSG will be hoping that Chevalier can make the same impact that Donnarumma had in their pursuit of another European crown.