PSG’s Quiet Summer, Loud Ambitions: AI Bets on a Spine-Boosting Makeover

PSG’s Quiet Summer Under Enrique

Under the guidance of Spanish coach Louis Enrique, Paris Saint-Germain wrapped up three summer signings to bolster Europe’s reigning champions for the 2025-2026 season.

The Paris giant targeted defensive solidity and goalkeeper depth, bringing in fresh talent after a wave of departures from the Parc des Princes.

PSG signed 23-year-old French goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier from Lille, adding a promising young stopper to share the load with the veteran squad.

Joining from Bournemouth, 23-year-old Ukrainian defender Ilya Zabarnyi provides a mobile, intelligent presence at the back, complementing the team’s build-from-the-back philosophy.

Additionally, 19-year-old Italian keeper Renato Marin arrived from Roma, bringing youthful ambition and a toolkit suited to modern goalkeeping demands.

New Signings and Departures

Meanwhile, PSG saw a sizeable exodus, with Gianluigi Donnarumma heading to Manchester City, Marco Asensio moving to Fenerbahce, and Milan Skriniar seeking a new challenge elsewhere.

Forward Randal Kolo Muani also left on loan to Tottenham Hotspur after talks with Juventus faltered.

With these changes, Enrique’s men aim to defend the titles they lifted in 2024-2025 while retooling for a longer European adventure.

Historically, PSG claimed the Champions League in dramatic fashion last season, hammering Inter Milan 5-0 in the final, then lifting the European Super Cup against Tottenham and collecting domestic trophies along the way.

They also chased a Club World Cup 2025 appearance in the United States, but were surprisingly outdone by Chelsea in a 3-0 final.

In this edition of the Mercato AI series, we ask how the artificial intelligence model rates the summer moves for Paris Saint-Germain.

Lucas Chevalier

We asked AI to assess Chevalier’s likelihood of succeeding at PSG, and the verdict highlighted his Lille-honed traits: quick reflexes, calm under pressure, and a natural ability to distribute from the back—ideal for a team that builds plays from deep.

Mentally, the challenge is real: Paris brings relentless weekly scrutiny, but Chevalier’s composure and self-belief hint at a seamless rise under the spotlight.

Tactically, Enrique will enjoy a goalkeeper who can step out to support short passes and enhance PSG’s ball movement, adding a layer of flexibility to their modern approach.

Despite Chevalier’s youth, this is a rare chance to become the face of Paris after Donnarumma’s departure. If he seizes it, he could become one of Europe’s leading goalkeepers in the years ahead.

The AI’s projected chance of Chevalier succeeding at PSG stands at 85%—contingent on keeping calm under pressure and getting full staff support.

Ilya Zabarnyi

AI’s verdict on Zabarnyi notes rare defensive traits: exceptional composure under pressure, smart positioning, and a keen ball-reading ability, aligning with classic central defenders who prioritize timing and structure.

Pairing him with a physically strong partner, such as Marquinhos or a like-for-like ally, could yield a balanced duo: one to press, the other to read the play and cover space.

At 23, Zabarnyi has maturity beyond his years. The move from Bournemouth to Paris is a significant leap, but he handles media pressure with ease, a valuable trait for a club of PSG’s stature.

The challenge lies in France’s faster defensive transitions and a higher line; any misstep early on could be costly, so adaptation will be key.

The AI projects a 90% chance of Zabarnyi’s success at PSG.

Renato Marin

AI’s assessment of Marin suggests potential, but time and patience will be important for his development at the top level.

Marin’s strengths include sharp reflexes, good handling of high balls, and solid footwork, all traits that will help him adapt to Paris’s daily demands.

However, he’ll need minutes and careful coaching to reach his ceiling; if given that time, he could become PSG’s future first-choice in two years or less.

Overall, Marin’s chances of success at PSG stand at 80% if trust and continued opportunities are provided.

In brief, the AI’s forecast for PSG’s three new additions points to high upside, provided the club balances development with pressure and minutes for each youngster.

And yes, Paris’s defensive spine might just become the league’s tightest zipper with these three new pieces snapping into place.

Punchline time: If defense is a sauce, PSG just whisked in Chevalier, Zabarnyi, and Marin—watch the flavors meld, and try not to spill the soup. Punchline two: In Paris, even the transfers have a runway; expect the defense to sprint to keep up with the attack, or at least to look good in the highlight reels.