Geertruida to PSG, defensive savior or risky gamble?

PSG wants to be active during this summer transfer window and aims to recruit top-level defenders.

PSG's defensive sector is undergoing major changes. With Milan Skriniar's very disappointing season, Lucas Hernandez's serious injury, Lucas Beraldo's inexperience, and Presnel Kimpembe's struggle to return to competition, there are many weaknesses in this area that could push Parisian leaders to recruit for reinforcement.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Paris wants to quickly settle personal terms with the player, who is attracting interest from Premier League clubs. Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna also states that Lutsharel is very receptive to PSG's interest, but he will decide his future after the Euro.

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Geertruida to PSG, defensive savior or risky gamble?

Lutsharel Geertruida, a 23-year-old Dutch defender standing at 1.84m, can play in several positions, primarily as a central defender or right-back, which allows him to bring flexibility to his team. This versatility is valuable for coaches like Luis Enrique, who can use him in different positions based on tactical needs.

As a right-back, he can move forward and participate in offensive phases (8 goals and 5 assists in 41 matches across all competitions), but not as a pure full-back. Depending on the phase of play, his role is that of a third central defender or a double-pivot midfielder.

Lutsharel also possesses excellent passing technique and reliable ball control. He knows how to play simply and quickly, which allows him to contribute effectively to his team's possession game. His pass accuracy is exceptional.

He is near the top in every type of pass (94% successful short passes; 91% successful medium passes; 64% successful long passes) and can play under pressure without any issues. His physical condition, coupled with decent speed, allows him to cover a lot of ground and quickly return to defensive positions after offensive runs.

According to Data'Scout, Geertruida is a full-back with a very different profile from Achraf Hakimi and a central defender with a profile similar to Marquinhos. Tactically, his arrival at PSG would make sense to free Nuno Mendes offensively, while doubling or even tripling the right central defender position.

He is a very interesting young player who could contribute significantly to the Rouge & Bleu project. Under contract until 2025, he is valued at €32m by TransferMarkt.