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It’s official. Chelsea are the world champions. Beating PSG 3-0 in the Club World Cup Final, they secured that honour. But does that tell the full story? Perhaps not.
In fact, PSG’s last campaign, followed by their performances against both Madrid teams and Bayern Munich in the Club World Cup suggests that, unofficially, they’re the team to beat in world football.
Of course, Chelsea managed that, but under Luis Enrique the Parisians have become formidable and look to be producing a new generation-defining era, much in the same way Pep Guardiola has done with Manchester City and Barcelona.
Their victory over Real Madrid perhaps cemented that, added to their dominance in the UEFA Champions League last season.
The bookies certainly think so
Having few troubles against the likes of Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior and former striker Kylian Mbappe has certainly set their stall out for the upcoming season and, despite defeat to Chelsea, they are favourites to lift the Champions League with most bookies.
And it’s not particularly close either. The Parisians are clearly the team to beat and are holding all the ace cards in the way the team has gelled under Enrique. Which makes them a solid bet.
In fact, when you look at the other major contenders around the world, Enrique has a great hand. Real Madrid’s Xabi Alonso at the beginning of a rebuild as we’ve already discovered, Arne Slot at Liverpool is facing the tricky sophomore season, following a difficult summer, and Manchester City also in the rebuilding phase after what many would consider a nightmare season last term.
What the stats say
The stats do have a slightly different opinion at the minute. While victory over Madrid, statistically, suggests PSG are on fire. After all, they netted four, took almost 70% possession and stringed double the amount of passes together compared to their opponents. If it wasn’t for Madrid stopper Thibaut Courtois, it could well have been more than four.
Those numbers are the sort that Pep Guardiola’s great Barcelona side were pulling, and it’s no surprise to see this PSG side being mentioned in the same breath as those. Of course, more trophies are required for that to be taken any more seriously, though.
Particularly as Opta aren’t even placing them as the best team in the world currently. According to the Opta Power Rankings, PSG have dropped to third since topping it after triumphing in Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and the Champions League, as well as reaching the Club World Cup Final.
However, defeat in the latter has seen both Liverpool and Arsenal leapfrog them, but not by much and a strong start to the season would likely see Dembele and co. return to the top.
What the pundits say
Stats don’t tell the full story. Often it’s the bigger picture and many journalists and pundits are saying that what PSG have created is special. Oliver Kay, of The Athletic, summed it up perfectly, stating:
“The young, new-look squad assembled shrewdly by sporting director Luis Campos and guided expertly by Luis Enrique has become what the head coach calls a “reference” for other teams. They have a midfield that passes the ball beautifully and fights tigerishly to win it back when they lose it, full-backs and wingers who are quick and enterprising in everything they do.”
Which takes some beating. That victory over Real Madrid, was the perfect example of that.
In fact, Jamie Carragher also spoke about the side, summing them up with “Watching PSG is like watching Pep’s Barca! I can’t give them a higher compliment.”
The New Barcelona?
All the signs are suggesting that next season PSG have the opportunity to reach the next level and become a dynasty team like Pep’s Barca. And that certainly means they are the world’s best team right now.
That’s going to be transformative for the club and indeed the French league, helping them both become more marketable than ever before. PSG are already one of the most sought after in terms of partnerships, with everything from airlines to casinos wanting to get involved with them, whether it be a brick and mortar casino in Paris or one of the many online casinos around today. From France to the USA and even Bangladesh, the UK to the subcontinent, many casinos are looking to get in on the action. In fact, look at top review sites like SlotsJudge, and you’ll see many online casino Bangladesh based that are keen to join forces with top European and global clubs like PSG.
It’s something we’ve seen with the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and many British teams, with the income generated from casino partners and other lucrative industries only helping them cement their dominance even further. Something PSG will be looking to do next.
Next season’s Champions League will deliver tests, though, and it’s how they come through those that will determine whether this season was a flash in the pan, or PSG’s Qatari owners are finally getting the dominance they’ve craved for many years.
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