Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique says squad rotation will remain central to the club’s pursuit of domestic and European success, with players returning from the World Cup, including Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, set to be given opportunities to recover.
PSG retained both the Champions League and Ligue 1 titles last season, with Luis Enrique regularly selecting different line-ups depending on the competition.
Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Achraf Hakimi were among the players used extensively in Europe but given fewer league appearances as the campaign progressed.
Dembele reached the World Cup semi-final with France and had limited involvement in PSG’s pre-season preparations. However, he played in the club’s UEFA Super Cup victory over Aston Villa and their French Super Cup defeat by Lens.
“There is nothing new here,” Luis Enrique told reporters on Thursday. “Last year, and in previous years, we have had players given recovery time. Dembele made a big effort to be involved in the two Super Cup finals, he will be an essential player for us.
“It’s important to underline that the players who came back with less rest time because they played at the World Cup, I’m always open to giving them rest time. It’s very important to know how to switch off.”
Dembele started PSG’s opening Ligue 1 match against Stade Rennais, but was substituted at half-time with the champions 2-0 behind. Summer signing Ferran Torres came on and scored twice as PSG recovered to draw.
Luis Enrique was speaking before Friday’s match at Lille, where he was asked whether Torres had done enough to establish himself as a regular starter.
“Of course you like to classify players, this one is a starter, or a bench player,” Luis Enrique replied.
“To win trophies in the way that we have done, you need a squad. You don’t win anything with just 11 players. I need 23 players, not just 11.”
The Spanish manager pointed to the contribution of several members of the squad during PSG’s trophy-winning campaigns.
“We have won a lot because we had players like Goncalo Ramos, Lee Kang-in and many others who came into the team. Bradley Barcola too.”
Ramos and Lee have since left the club, while Barcola is expected to join Liverpool. For the moment, Luis Enrique said, the France forward remains available to PSG.
The draw for the league phase of the Champions League is due to take place later on Thursday. Luis Enrique, however, said he would not be watching it.
“The first year, I watched it in my office. The second and third year too and all three times it was catastrophic in terms of getting the toughest draw,” he said.
“So now, I am going to cycle around Paris. When I get home, everyone will tell me how the draw has gone.”
PSG’s approach again reflects Luis Enrique’s belief that a long season cannot be managed with only a preferred starting XI. The club will be seeking to maintain its domestic dominance while competing for further success in Europe, making the management of player workloads a significant part of the campaign.
