It has been a mixed start to the season for Paris Saint-Germain with the French champions third in the Ligue 1 table and second in UEFA Champions League Group F. Aside from an chastening blowout away at Newcastle United in Europe, there has not been too much concern regarding Les Parisiens' sluggish start under new head coach Luis Enrique considering the mammoth squad overhaul which took place at Parc des Princes this summer. In terms of expenditure alone, the French giants spent $337 million although they brought in significant amounts for the likes of Neymar and Marco Verratti while Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos' departures also freed up substantial funds.
We take a look at how PSG's new arrivals are faring so far and if the juice has really been worth the squeeze for Luis Campos based on current evidence.
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Luis Enrique
The obvious Newcastle debacle aside, the Spaniard is getting PSG to win most of the big games so far with victories against RC Lens, Olympique Lyonnais, Borussia Dortmund, Olympique de Marseille and Stade Rennais. The Magpies as well as a home loss to unbeaten OGC Nice are the two main areas of concern as far as results go. Looking at things more broadly, there is a clear shift in collective mentality and team chemistry happening in Paris which has been overdue for years. It might take a bit longer for these new ideas to truly take hold, but PSG are already not far away from top spot in Ligue 1 and could yet retake first place in their UCL group. Come November, Luis Enrique's record in the French capital could look even more impressive.
Grade: B
Randal Kolo Muani ($100 million)
With two goals and two assists to his name so far, the France international has not fared too badly statistically since his late summer move from Eintracht Frankfurt. However, certain performances tell a different story with the Newcastle defeat underlining the difficulties PSG are having in getting their all-French attacking lineup to replicate its form with Les Bleus at club level. Not even Kylian Mbappe has been his usual self so far with Kolo Muani and Ousmane Dembele not necessarily the most compatible trio on this evidence. Luis Enrique has also added Goncalo Ramos and Bradley Barcola to the mix at times which resulted in the questionable tactical approach at St. James' Park. It could be that the best is yet to come from the Bondy-born talent who does at least bring a strong work rate to the team.
Grade: B-
Manuel Ugarte ($63 million)
The most impressive of PSG's summer acquisitions so far has been the Uruguay international who arrived from Sporting CP and has been the fulcrum of the midfield under Luis Enrique along with young Warren Zaire-Emery. Ugarte has helped Parisien fans to forget Marco Verratti fairly rapidly and his combative nature has helped to transform the French giants' midfield with Vitinha also a regular in the XI. He might only have one assist to his name, but Ugarte is not there to score goals or provide them and PSG's midfield suddenly has more balance and substance to it when Luis Enrique is not tinkering with his preferred trio.
Grade: A
Ousmane Dembele ($53 million)
Like Kolo Muani, Ousmane Dembele is taking his time to adapt to his new surroundings after joining from Barcelona this summer. The France international has two assists to his name but has struggled to get onto the same wavelength as Mbappe or Kolo Muani so far. There have been glimpses of magic from the 26-year-old but no real breakthrough yet with many wondering if Luis Enrique is affording him too much leniency.
Grade: C
Lucas Hernandez ($47 million)
One of the surprise success stories so far has been another Frenchman with his versatility at left back truly vital right now after the injury to Nuno Mendes. The Portuguese left back could be out until February of 2024 which has put pressure on Hernandez to hit the ground running after joining from Bayern Munich. The Marseille-born 27-year-old has managed to do just that and off the back of a lengthy injury with one goal and an assist on top of his assured and consistent form. PSG cannot afford to lose him to injury or suspension anytime soon with precious few alternatives at left back.
Grade: A-
Bradley Barcola ($47 million)
Another late summer arrival from Lyon, the French starlet has been encouraging without directly contributing anything so far. Barcola's outings have actually been more convincing that the likes of Dembele but the 21-year-old has also been a victim of Luis Enrique's attacking experimentation as well as the team's habit of dropping points against lesser opponents. There is absolutely more to come from Barcola as this season progresses.
Grade: B
Lee Kang In ($23 million)
The South Korea international has not really seen enough competitive action to be judged so far after picking up an injury before extended duty with his country. However, Lee's versatility is already a big plus which was evident during preseason and the 22-year-old has just won his exemption from military service along with the other victors of the Asian Games. That is potentially huge for PSG moving forward as it not only removes the risk of losing potential years of his career, it also means that his potential sell-on value remains high should he not make Parc des Princes a permanent home. Either way, it should work out well for the French champions.
Grade: C+
Xavi Simons ($4 million)
Although not on the field in Paris this season, the Netherlands international was brought back from PSV Eindhoven after just one campaign away through a clause which had been negotiated at the time of his exit. Now with RB Leizpig in Germany, Simons continues to impress and looks close to being ready to return to PSG possibly as early as next season to be a long-term part of the club's plans.
Grade: B+
Milan Skriniar (Free)
PSG's first acquisition from Inter was more than 12 months in the making considering that Campos was trying to bring the Slovakia international in from day one. Now that he has arrived, it has not been as seamless as was hoped given the 28-year-old's recovery from a lengthy injury layoff but he is getting regular minutes under his belt despite some patchy form and should be captain Marquinhos' regular central defensive partner for the foreseeable future.
Grade: C-
Marco Asensio (Free)
Campos was confident that the former Real Madrid man on a free transfer would prove to be a masterpiece and Asensio's initial form suggested that the Portuguese transfer guru was right. However, after two goals and an assist early on, old injury issues came back to bite while on international duty. Should the 27-year-old remain fit and healthy, he could continue to make a difference, but that is a big if based on recent years.
Grade: B-
Goncalo Ramos (Loan)
Arguably the most enigmatic of PSG's summer signings so far has been the Portugal international who is very clearly prolific and remains in good form in front of goal for his country but has struggled at club level with just two goals so far. Ramos looked lethal against Marseille when he scored his pair of goals but otherwise has been lost in Luis Enrique's struggles to bed in an entirely new attack around the French superstar. If given further chances, which will happen given PSG are obliged to buy him after this loan, he will score more goals for the French giants.
Grade: C+
Arnau Tenas and Cher Ndour (Free)
Although both are promising in their respective positions -- goalkeeper and midfielder -- neither have played enough so far to merit proper grading.
Grade: N/A
