CLAIREFONTAINE-EN-YVELINES, France: New coach Laurent Blanc says his aim in his first season at Paris Saint Germain is to do “as well if not better than last season”.
Blanc took over at the Qatari-owned French champions last month when Carlo Ancelotti moved to Real Madrid to replace Chelsea-bound Jose Mourinho.
And the former Bordeaux and France manager spelled out his and the club owners’ objectives after holding a training session, the 47-year-old telling reporters: “The aim is to do as well as last year, if not better.
“This is an ambitious but logical objective, logical because we are in the process of progressing.”
As well as claiming the French league title PSG made it through to the Champions League quarter-finals where they came unstuck against Barcelona.
Today Blanc’s squad leave for a one week pre-season training camp in Austria. A decision is also expected today on Leonardo’s appeal - PSG’s Brazilian sporting director is trying to overturn his nine-month ban for pushing a referee.
Meanwhile, Blanc said he would be delighted if Uruguay international Edinson Cavani joined the French champions as they seek a defender, midfielder and striker.
Napoli’s Cavani, top scorer in Serie A last season, has been linked to a host of top European clubs with local media reporting that PSG have made an offer of up to 63m euro for the 26-year-old.
“I love this player,” Blanc told a news conference yesterday.
“I have seen him play several times with Uruguay and Napoli. I would be very happy should he be in the PSG squad next season.”agencies
