:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66986929/1188052796.jpg.0.jpg)
Things aren’t going well at Paris Saint Germain at the moment, and Thomas Tuchel wants you to know it. Facing the prospect of losing Tanguy Kouassi to Bayern Munich this summer, the PSG boss lamented the fact that his squad was becoming too thin to compete for the Champions League.
Despite the fact that the summer is still young, PSG have already seen a number of high-profile departures. Belgian right-back Thomas Meunier has already moved to Borussia Dortmund, while striker Edinson Cavani is set to leave the French capital on a free transfer (leading PSG to reverse course and extend Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting’s contract after all, to our editor’s delight).
However, the one transfer that really bothers Tuchel is the loss of 17-year old center back Tanguy Koussai to Bayern Munich.
Speaking to the media, the PSG boss didn’t mince words. Comparing Kouassi’s situation to that of another PSG youngster, Adil Aouchiche, he said (GOAL): “For Adil I can understand because it is difficult to fight for a place in midfield at a club like this. But for Tanguy, I’m sorry because it’s been a pleasure to work with him. It’s different because it’s no secret, I wanted to keep him with us.”
The German clearly had faith in the youngster. “He played against Dortmund,” said Tuchel, “the most important game of the season with the most tension and stake. He played at 17 when he had no contract.”
“There was confidence,” said Tuchel. “He would have had minutes, he could have been a key player. I can’t understand and I’m sad, but that’s how it is. It is difficult to understand this situation for him.”
Given PSG’s vast pool of talent, it’s telling that Tuchel is this upset over losing a 17-year-old. Kouassi is a highly rated talent, able to play at both defensive midfield and center back. According to kicker, his transfer to Munich has already been finalized, pending the official announcement. Hopefully, this praise from his former manager bodes well for Kouassi’s prospects at Bayern. Let’s hope the official announcement comes in soon.