MY ACCOUNT
Christophe Galtier has held talks with Presnel Kimpembe to clarify that the centre-back remains one of Paris Saint-Germain’s vice-captains.
Kylian Mbappe wore the captain’s armband in Monday’s 7-0 Coupe de France win over sixth-tier Pays de Cassel in the absence of regular skipper Marquinhos.
Speaking to reporters after the cup rout, Galtier said Mbappe – who scored five times – “deserves” to be second captain when Marquinhos is not available.
Kimpembe, who has not played since November due to a heel injury, took to social media on Tuesday to state he had not been previously informed about Galtier’s decision.
However, PSG head coach Galtier has since discussed the matter with Kimpembe to dissipate any misunderstanding.
“I expressed myself badly on Monday,” Galtier said at a pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s Ligue 1 match with Reims.
“The choices are very clear: Kylian is one of the vice-captains. Every time Kimpembe has been on the field and Marquinhos hasn’t been, Kimpembe has had the armband.
“When Marquinhos isn’t available, there is another captain. In the Lens match there was neither Kimpembe, Marco [Verratti] nor Marquinhos, so Kylian was captain.
“I decided to have Kylian as captain in the last game because he is one of the vice-captains, not ‘the’ vice-captain. I’ve had a discussion with Kimpembe to explain all this.”
PSG’s victory against Pays de Cassel came on the back of a 1-0 loss to Rennes in their most recent Ligue 1 match as their lead on Lens at the summit was cut to three points.
However, not since September 2020 have they lost successive league matches, while their return of 47 points after 19 matches is their fifth-best ever at this stage.
The reigning champions face a tough test this weekend, though, as they host a Reims side unbeaten in 11 Ligue 1 games – the longest run of any side in the division.
“It will be a difficult match for us to begin this run of games,” Galtier said. “They have changed system and coach, and we know it will be a challenge for us.
“We now have Kimpembe back in training and Marco Verratti is back with the group. We have to cope with the calendar and focus more on recovery.”
PSG are unbeaten in their past 31 Ligue 1 games at the Parc des Princes, winning 27 of those, and have scored in each of the past 20 on home soil.
