Goalkeepers, Dembélé, Marquinhos, the winter transfer window… everything Luis Enrique said
On the eve of FC Metz vs Paris Saint-Germain, Luis Enrique spoke to the press this Friday and addressed several key topics: the return from injury of goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier, the situation of Ousmane Dembélé, who is recovering from illness but remains too short to feature on Saturday, the injury to Marquinhos, as well as the upcoming winter transfer window.
The Spanish coach also reflected on PSG’s overall progress, squad management amid injuries, the Intercontinental Cup, and the challenge of facing Metz away from home.
Here is the full press conference, translated and reported in full by our team.
A lot has been said about injuries and players returning from injury since the start of the season. But in terms of the team’s overall play, where do you think the team stands? Do you feel the team is making strong progress as we approach the halfway point of the season?
“Hello. In terms of our play, I think we are on a normal trajectory. There are things we have already improved. There are still many things we can improve because every match presents different difficulties, but I am happy with what I have seen on the pitch.
There are certainly aspects to improve, but both defensively and offensively, I am happy with what I’ve seen.”
You end the year 2025 with four away trips — Bilbao, Metz, Doha, Nantes — which is quite unusual. Is there a risk of additional fatigue? How do you view these last four matches?
“I hope not, but we do travel a lot, that’s clear. It’s the calendar, we have to adapt. We are not looking for excuses.
We are used to it, we travel in the best conditions. It’s great for us to have this opportunity, but every time you travel, you feel some fatigue.
From what I saw today in training, the team is ready. I hope this won’t be a problem.”
Lucas Chevalier is not listed in the medical update, which means he is fit again. Do you think this short break helped him before returning to competition?
“I am very happy to know that we have three top goalkeepers.”
“Lucas had this small injury, this small situation. He is back. Today, he trained as usual.
In this situation, we were able to see another player (Safonov) who hadn’t played since the start of the season, and he showed his level. We are very happy to see players always ready.
‘Mocha’ (Safonov’s nickname) showed not only his professionalism but also his personality. And I am very happy to know that we have three top goalkeepers.”
Since the start of the season, you’ve had to deal with many injuries and you’ve rarely had your full squad available. How does that affect your management, and how can the team reach its highest level?
“I don’t know. But what I saw today is the level of our team. I don’t think it’s very different.
I hope that after Christmas, and with time, we will get players back and have the squad ready to face the most important part of the season. That’s my hope.
It’s strange because we haven’t really seen that during the first four months, so it feels strange to me. But I hope so. And I am happy with what I have seen during this period.”
A question about the Intercontinental Cup: do you think this title is as important for PSG as it is for Flamengo or Pyramids FC? Or is it more important for them?
“I think it’s the same motivation for them as for us. The motivation and the importance of the trophy are the same for everyone.
These are trophies you rarely get the chance to win. It’s very important. It’s great for us to be aware of that importance.
I repeat, I think it’s the same importance for all three teams.”
After Bilbao, you said PSG was a better team at this stage of the season compared to last year. Can last season’s trajectory — a difficult first half and an excellent second half — help you now and reinforce confidence?
“This season is a continuation of the second half of last season.”
“I think we can compare with last year, but I think this season is a continuation of the second half of last season.
We showed our quality as a team very early in the season, despite many strange and different situations.
In that sense, I don’t think anyone doubts our team. We may play better or worse, but when you analyze a PSG match, you usually see the same things: the same intensity, the same ability to manage the game, to know how to play, whatever the stadium.
I think it’s more a continuation of what we saw in the latter part of last season.”
Tomorrow you face FC Metz, who are bottom of the table and coming off three consecutive league defeats. Aren’t these types of matches sometimes the hardest to prepare for?
“Every match presents difficulties, whether it’s against a team like Metz in their current position, a Champions League opponent, or a top-table team.
We are sure they will be highly motivated and that it will be difficult. We want to be ready to face this match, and it is always difficult for us to play away from home.”
Ousmane Dembélé is mentioned in the medical update. He has resumed training, though individually. How do you plan to manage him so he can return at full strength in the second half of the season?
“Dembélé has to start his recovery again, and then we must be careful.”
“It’s unfortunate for him and for the team because we haven’t been able to see Ousmane in normal condition during these first four months.
We know his quality and his ability, we are confident, but at the same time we need to manage this. It’s my responsibility as a coach to do so in the best possible way to have Ousmane back in the best conditions.
Unfortunately, he has been sick in recent days. Today he trained, but individually. He has to start his recovery again, and then we must be careful.”
Safonov has delivered very good performances. Does that make you rethink the hierarchy or give him more playing time?
“It always depends. I have a lot of confidence in my three goalkeepers.
It’s important for me and for all players to know that when there is an opportunity, you have to be ready.
I think ‘Mocha’ Safonov showed that. I like having three goalkeepers like the ones we have. Tomorrow, we’ll see.”
On injuries and refereeing: Marquinhos and Lucas Chevalier suffered serious fouls that were not really sanctioned. What is your view on refereeing, even though you often say you don’t like commenting on it?
“I have a lot of experience, and I decided a long time ago not to talk about refereeing.”
“It’s a very interesting topic and one I would like to talk about a lot, but I am old in football.
I have a lot of experience and I decided a long time ago not to talk about it.
I would like to speak, of course, and show what I think, but I prefer to show my players that they must focus on things we can control.
Refereeing is one of the most difficult things to manage. I am convinced of that, and I think it’s more positive for me in the medium and long term not to talk every week about referees.”
You said after Bilbao that you were open to the transfer market. Has your thinking evolved since the start of the season regarding the winter window?
“If you know some very interesting players who are cheaper than usual, I’m ready and open to listen.”
“No. I haven’t changed anything I said. I am open, as always.
We have a very good sporting management that constantly analyzes and evaluates players.
There are injuries, particular moments. We trust our academy players, but it’s not easy to sign players for us in the winter or summer window.
If you know some very interesting players who are cheaper than usual, I’m ready and open to listen.
We analyze everything, we know where we want to go. Of course, we will make mistakes — that’s normal. But we are confident in what we do and open, as always.”
Finally, about Marquinhos’ injury: can you give us more details on the length of his absence?
“I don’t know. If you want, I can ask the doctor to come next time.
From what he told me and what I’ve seen, there’s nothing bad or worrying.
I don’t know if he will be available for the Intercontinental Cup match. The doctor can say more.”