After two highly successful seasons, Luis Enrique has identified a new danger at PSG: complacency. The Paris coach believes nobody should feel secure in their position this season and intends to use every tool at his disposal to keep his squad under constant pressure.
It is a commando-style season in Paris, with one objective: a three-peat and a third star. Luis Enrique wants a third consecutive Champions League title and will do everything possible to achieve it, including adopting a tougher management style. According to L’Équipe, a change has been noticed behind the scenes. Last season, the PSG dressing room saw itself as being on a genuine “mission” to win a third consecutive Champions League. That determination is reportedly less noticeable on a daily basis now, and Luis Enrique has clearly taken note.
Luis Enrique wants to shake up the PSG dressing room
The Spaniard has therefore decided to tighten his management even further. His message to the players is clear: “There are no longer starters and substitutes.” Status, salary or performances in previous seasons will no longer guarantee a place in the starting XI. Luis Enrique now intends to judge his players on their current form as well as their daily commitment in training. Nobody is expected to be exempt from this rule. A senior player could be substituted at half-time, start a game on the bench or even be left out of the squad entirely if his training performances during the week are not considered good enough.
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Luis Enrique has already sent several signals since the start of the season. Ousmane Dembélé was notably given a week off after the trip to Rennes, while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Désiré Doué have started certain matches on the bench. The PSG coach fully embraces this rotation policy and has repeatedly explained that he needs his entire squad to achieve his objectives, rather than a fixed starting XI backed up by simple substitutes. PSG must operate with 23 players capable of playing, with everyone constantly proving that they deserve their place.
The tougher approach is mainly explained by the context. After so many trophies, the coaching staff wants to prevent the players from gradually slipping into a comfort zone. “The past is the past,” Luis Enrique recently insisted ahead of the return of the Champions League. His goal is to recreate the pressure and hunger that fueled PSG’s previous European campaigns. The consequence is clear: the hierarchy can now change from one week to the next. A drop in intensity, a poor performance or simply a teammate performing better in training could cost anyone their place. This season, no status will protect PSG’s established stars.
