It`s often said that the current Paris Saint-Germain squad lacks attacking superstars. The arrival of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia completely disproves this notion. In terms of playing quality, he is undoubtedly worthy of being mentioned alongside names like Neymar, Lionel Messi, and Kylian Mbappé.
Perhaps his role will prove even more significant, especially if he helps the club secure the long-awaited Champions League trophy. If PSG succeeds, there will be a strong argument for Kvaratskhelia being the most impactful January signing in football history regarding immediate results. Looking back at transfers like Virgil van Dijk, Nemanja Vidic, Luis Suárez, or Bruno Fernandes, who became legends, their immediate impact on winning major trophies wasn`t as direct or rapid.
Considering the presence of other talented players, it`s interesting to ponder whether PSG could have reached European champion status without this $90 million January acquisition. That remains speculative. However, what is beyond dispute is that with Kvaratskhelia`s arrival, the capabilities and potential of the French champions have significantly increased.
This became strikingly evident in the match against Arsenal on Tuesday night. The Gunners` right flank defence has looked like an impenetrable wall all season. Even the world`s best wingers have struggled against Jurrien Timber. Despite possible instructions for wingers to help defensively, Mikel Arteta demands that his full-backs win one-on-one duels. It has almost always worked. Yet, no one has caused Timber as much trouble as Kvaratskhelia did.
In just ten minutes, the situation drastically shifted: from partners rushing to assist Timber to Arsenal needing to commit three players to the right flank simply to contain the Georgian. The outcome? An impressive dart between two defenders, a desperate attempted handball from the right-back, which clearly should have resulted in a penalty for PSG.
Although Kvaratskhelia was less decisive as the game progressed, his constant threat never waned. Even in the 80th minute, double-teaming from Timber and Bukayo Saka couldn`t prevent him from cutting onto his right foot and taking a shot. Arsenal were simply fortunate that, on this occasion, the Georgian`s technique let him down. The London side should certainly not count on such luck repeating in the return leg at Parc des Princes.
This performance was close to a complete dismantling, which has become standard since his arrival in Europe`s top leagues from Batumi in the summer of 2022. When he joined Napoli as number 77, the best-case scenario for the club seemed to be solidifying their Champions League spot and perhaps challenging Serie A giants until the final rounds. Instead, he unlocked completely new horizons for the Partenopei, a club that had long lived on memories of the golden era of the late `90s. Within a few matches, his name was being whispered in Italian football circles. Months later, they were shouting it from the rooftops.
It`s no coincidence he was nicknamed “Kvaradona” long before he helped Napoli secure the club`s third Scudetto. (As a side note, without wading into conspiracy theories, might Kvaratskhelia have received more Ballon d`Or votes in 2023, surpassing players like Yassine Bounou and Emiliano Martinez, had he represented a more traditional “footballing” nation?).
Like Diego Maradona, he is a player who makes fans jump out of their seats whenever the ball is at his feet. His dynamic runs typically end with stunning effectiveness, whether it`s a powerful strike into the roof of the net in the Champions League quarter-final or a magnificent chipped pass over the Bologna defence to set up Giovanni Di Lorenzo at the end of his time in Italy.
Kvaratskhelia has already won the hearts of one of Europe`s most passionate fan bases and seems well on his way to captivating another. Within weeks, Parisians were chanting his name to the “Kvara” rhythm. By embracing him so warmly, they significantly eased what could have been a challenging mid-season move for such a unique talent.
Kvaratskhelia himself commented: “The fact that they welcomed me into the family so quickly and that I felt really happy and comfortable really helped me find my place on the pitch, and I`m doing my best to make the most of it. From the very first moment, I felt strong support from the fans. Stepping onto the pitch, I felt both happy and like a great footballer.”
That is exactly what he is. While his unpredictable dribbling might seem like a relic of the past, his actions without the ball reflect the future of modern wingers. This sets him apart from players like Neymar and later-career Messi, who were afforded more defensive freedom at the old PSG. On Tuesday night, he made five tackles, led the team in interceptions and ball recoveries, and even helped clear the ball from his own penalty area.
It`s hard to shake the feeling that if Arsenal, who had long been looking for a new left winger, had made a serious move and signed Kvaratskhelia this winter, perhaps they would now look like the best team in the tournament. However, they didn`t even come close to a deal once Napoli decided it was time to part ways with their star player. The preparatory work PSG had done back in the summer paid off in just a matter of hours during the middle of the January transfer window.
Evidently, the $90 million has been spent exceptionally wisely. PSG paid for a superstar, acquired a superstar talent, and may very soon win a trophy befitting a super club. It is quite possible that without Kvaratskhelia, this might never have happened.
