Ahead of the UEFA Super Cup match against “Tottenham” (August 13), Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique explained in detail why Gianluigi Donnarumma was not included in the squad. In a conversation with journalists, the Spanish specialist emphasized: it is not about conflict but a strategic choice in the interests of the team. Against the backdrop of Lucas Chevalier’s arrival from “Lille” and Donnarumma’s public announcement that he would leave the club, the Italian’s future became one of the main topics of the European summer. We put several direct questions to the head coach and insiders.
“Decisions Are Hard, but the Team Comes First”
— Why was Donnarumma left out of the squad?
— “Every personnel decision is a balance between emotion and rationality. I can speak of Gigi only in superlatives: one of the strongest goalkeepers of his generation and an excellent professional. But a coach is obliged to improve the team here and now. We were looking for a configuration that would be optimal for all parties,” notes Luis Enrique.
— Is there a personal subtext to this?
— “None. Respect for the person and his contribution is unquestionable. But sport demands tough choices.”
A New No. 1? Chevalier’s Arrival and Competition in Goal
On August 9, PSG completed the transfer of Lucas Chevalier. According to sources close to the club, the Frenchman is viewed by the staff as a candidate for the starting goalkeeper role in the immediate cycle. For Enrique, distribution with his feet, bravery when coming off his line, and command of the back line are crucial — areas where Chevalier’s style fits well with PSG’s model of a high block and aggressive pressing. Internal competition becomes a tool rather than a gesture of distrust.
Manchester United Hold Fire: What the Market Is Saying
The English press claims that “Manchester United” are not accelerating talks for Donnarumma, focusing instead on other targets for the No. 1 spot. It is also noted that Gigi himself has not shown particular enthusiasm about moving to “Old Trafford”. In other words, the market for the Italian is open, but the landscape changes daily: clubs are watching the goalkeeper domino, waiting to see who makes the first move.
Gianluigi’s Paris Legacy: Numbers You Can’t Ignore
Since July 2021, Donnarumma has made 161 appearances for PSG and kept 56 clean sheets — an elite benchmark for a goalkeeper at a top club. Over this period he amassed an impressive collection of trophies, repeatedly lifted national titles, and helped the team pursue its objectives in Europe. In the dressing room, Gigi was not only the last line of defence but also a voice of experience — as both teammates and the coaching staff point out.
What’s Next: Scenarios for the Coming Weeks
The very fact of leaving him out of the Super Cup squad does not put an end to the relationship between player and club, but it makes the denouement predictable: the parties are looking for “the best settlement” — Enrique’s own wording. The upcoming windows will provide answers: a loan with an option, a permanent transfer, or an unexpected status quo amid strong internal competition. One thing is already clear: the decision on Donnarumma is not about drama but strategy. And PSG’s strategy today is speed of adaptation, boldness in selection, and the absolute priority of the team idea over names, however big they may be.
