Transfer Talk, Match Recaps, and a Friendly in Saudi Arabia?

New year, new podcast! Paris Saint-Germain returned to action following the FIFA World Cup and many supporters are wondering if some fresh faces are needed in the French capital to get the club over the UEFA Champions League hump.

On this episode of PSG Talking, I'm joined by Ethan from PSG Fan Club Boise to break down PSG's recent fixtures, discuss potential transfer targets, look ahead at the upcoming schedule, and discuss an oddly scheduled friendly for the club.

Up first is the 2-1 win over RC Strasbourg Alsace. There were plenty of talking points in this match at the Parc des Princes, including Marquinhos scoring two goals—one for PSG and one for the visitors—Kylian Mbappé's game-winning goal, and Neymar Jr.'s red card for diving.

Prior to the kickoff against Strasbourg, PSG announced Marco Verratti signed a new contract keeping him at the club until 2026. We discuss what it means for a club like PSG to keep so many world-class players in the squad beyond their initial contract.

Next, we take on the 3-1 drubbing at RC Lens. Should supporters be worried that PSG came up short on the road facing an atmosphere like the one they'll likely see in the Champions League? Also, could Lens beat PSG to the Ligue 1 title as they sit only four points behind the capital club?

Most recently, the youngsters got a chance to shine against LB Châteauroux in the Coupe de France. PSG escaped with a comfortable 3-1 victory and we wonder if Hugo Ekitike could see more playing time in the future. We also discuss the latest media rights in the United States regarding the Coupe de France.

The January transfer window is officially open, but as we discuss on the show, it's unlikely PSG will make a big splash. Financial Fair Play will almost certainly keep PSG from bringing in the type of center-back they need to strengthen the defense but could a few player sales fund a star signing?

Looking ahead, we wonder when Lionel Messi will return to the starting lineup, whether there's bad blood between Messi and Mbappé, and why in the world PSG would schedule a friendly in Saudi Arabia in the middle of January.

As always, thank you for listening, and be sure to subscribe and rate the show wherever you download your podcasts. We’re also on Discord! Become a Super Follower on Twitter to gain access to our server and join PSG fans from around the world.