Paris Saint-Germain go into Saturday’s 17:00 ET league match against Lorient with a new goalkeeper puzzle after Lucas Chevalier was ruled out by a right thigh injury sustained in training on Wednesday.
With Chevalier unavailable, PSG called up 18-year-old Arthur Vignaud on Friday to complete the goalkeeper group, while Renato Marin is now the official backup to Matveï Safonov. Luis Enrique said at a press conference the same day that he was open to changing things in every position and added: “Toutes les options sont possibles.”
The immediate question is not whether PSG have options, but which one Enrique trusts most in a position he has already shown a willingness to alter. Marin has one senior start, the Coupe de France round of 32 against Fontenay-le-Comte on 20 December, a 4-0 win in which he got his only selection. Since then, he has mainly played with the Espoirs group.
That makes the timing more delicate. Safonov, who was cramp-hit in PSG’s 5-4 win against Bayern Munich on Tuesday night, is the natural starter for Lorient, and two former goalkeepers have publicly argued against changing his rhythm. Rémy Vercoutre said, “Moi, je ne changerais pas la dynamique de Safonov,” while Jérôme Alonzo said, “Il est bien dans son jus.” He also added, “Safonov a une tête bien faite. S’il dit au coach qu’il a besoin de souffler, là, OK.”
PSG’s staff know the issue is not theoretical. Chevalier had already been downgraded since mid-December before the training injury ended any chance of selection, and Enrique has used this kind of flexibility before, rotating goalkeepers at Barcelona B and resting Gianluigi Donnarumma between the two Arsenal semi-finals last season. Marin, who joined PSG on a free transfer from AS Rome, has also appeared in friendlies against Rennes, Nice, Monaco and Liverpool, but Saturday’s match asks more than experience in preparation games ever can.
Enrique did not close the door on any solution, and that is the point. PSG are chasing a routine answer to an urgent problem, but the manager’s history suggests he is comfortable making a non-routine call if he thinks it helps the team. If he changes the position again, Lorient will be the first test of whether PSG’s depth is a safeguard or another risk.