Donnarumma makes a save against Marcus Rashford during PSG's 3-2 loss to Aston Villa at Villa Park, Birmingham, England in the Champions League quarter-final second leg on 15/4/2025. Photo: AFP

Donnarumma makes a save against Marcus Rashford during PSG's 3-2 loss to Aston Villa at Villa Park, Birmingham, England in the Champions League quarter-final second leg on 15/4/2025. Photo: AFP

* PSG - Tottenham: 2 a.m. on Tuesday.

Lucas Chevalier, PSG's latest acquisition from Lille for 47 million USD, is the 14th goalkeeper the club has signed during the Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) era, averaging one per season. Since the Qatari takeover 14 years ago, PSG has invested billions of USD in its squad. However, the crucial goalkeeper position remains a revolving door of talent, with no long-term solution in sight.

Being PSG's number one goalkeeper requires more than just shot-stopping prowess. It demands resilience to pressure, navigating media speculation, and, crucially, adapting to management's often unpredictable decisions. Unlike the stability enjoyed by Manuel Neuer at Bayern Munich (since 2011), Thibaut Courtois at Chelsea (2014-2018), or David de Gea at Man Utd (2011-2023), PSG has continually sought to "fill a void," despite having a roster of capable goalkeepers.

Salvatore Sirigu (2011-2015) initially provided a semblance of stability, playing four full seasons, averaging 78% of playing time, without serious competition. His backup, Nicolas Douchez, also had a clearly defined role and is now the goalkeeper coach at Le Havre. However, Kevin Trapp's arrival in 2015 signaled a shift. Trapp, known for his ball-playing abilities, was expected to modernize the position, but instead ushered in an era of uncertainty.

Between 2016 and 2019, Alphonse Areola, a PSG academy graduate returning from successful loan spells at Lens, Bastia, and Villarreal, shared playing time with Trapp (who endured the infamous "remontada" against Barcelona) and later Gianluigi Buffon. The pecking order became increasingly unclear. The 2016-2017 season exemplified this, with Trapp and Areola making 31 and 27 appearances respectively across all competitions. Even Buffon, arriving in 2018 after 17 years at Juventus with the goal of Champions League glory, fell victim to this unclear management. After an error against Man Utd, the Italian legend returned to Juventus within a year.

Buffon concedes a goal during PSG's 3-1 defeat to Man Utd in the 2019 Champions League round of 16 second leg. Photo: AFP

Buffon concedes a goal during PSG's 3-1 defeat to Man Utd in the 2019 Champions League round of 16 second leg. Photo: AFP

Keylor Navas's arrival from Real Madrid in 2019 brought a brief period of calm. The Costa Rican became the undisputed number one, supported by reliable backup Sergio Rico. But this stability lasted only two seasons.

In 2021, Gianluigi Donnarumma, fresh off being named Euro Player of the Tournament, joined on a free transfer, reopening old wounds. The 2021-2022 season mirrored 2016-2017, with Navas and Donnarumma making 26 and 24 appearances respectively—an "equal" distribution deemed unsuitable for a position demanding consistency.

The 26-year-old Italian gradually established himself as the starter, though inconsistent performances fueled ongoing debate. Capable of both spectacular saves and risky clearances, the former AC Milan keeper remained a divisive figure. Last season's Champions League triumph, culminating in a historic title, solidified Donnarumma's importance. However, Matvei Safonov, with 17 appearances last season, emerged as a competitor. Now, Donnarumma faces not only competition from Lucas Chevalier but also a potential exit from PSG.

Since 2011, only two French goalkeepers have attempted to establish themselves at PSG, without lasting success. Alphonse Areola, a PSG academy product, epitomizes this struggle. With 107 appearances over ten years and six loan spells, he never secured a long-term starting role, failing to capitalize on periods of instability.

The other Frenchman, Nicolas Douchez, joined in 2011 with hopes of becoming number one but was quickly overtaken by Sirigu and then Trapp, settling for a backup role with 43 appearances. All eyes are now on Lucas Chevalier, starting with the European Super Cup clash against Tottenham, a match from which Donnarumma has been conspicuously omitted.

At PSG, the goalkeeper debate seems eternal.

Compiled by Hoang Thong