Feb 21 β€’ 07:06 UTC πŸ‡«πŸ‡· France Le Figaro

PSG: with a "rival" like Zabarnyi, Marquinhos can sleep easy

The article discusses Ilya Zabarnyi's performance and challenges as a recent high-profile signing for PSG, aimed at competing with veteran defender Marquinhos.

Ilya Zabarnyi, an international Ukrainian defender who recently joined Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) for a hefty transfer fee of €66 million, is expected to be a key player in the upcoming match against Metz. However, despite the high expectations and his substantial price tag, his performance in Paris has yet to meet the standards PSG fans anticipated. Much of the anticipation surrounding his arrival was based on his potential to challenge and eventually succeed Marquinhos, the stalwart of PSG's defense.

The lengthy negotiation process saw Bournemouth holding out for the best deal, even expecting competition from Tottenham. Ultimately, Zabarnyi achieved his goal of moving to PSG, a club with a rich history and ambitions to maintain its dominance in European football. Standing at 1.89 meters, he was hoped to add both physical presence and agility to the team, but his adaptation to the PSG environment has not been as smooth as initially anticipated.

As it stands, Marquinhos, the Brazilian defender known for his leadership and skill, can feel secure in his position with Zabarnyi still finding his footing. The match against Metz will be a crucial opportunity for Zabarnyi to demonstrate his capabilities and begin to justify his price tag, which has placed him among the club's top ten most expensive signings. His performance could influence the dynamics of the PSG defense and shape the competition for starting positions in the future.

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