PSG look to likes of Achraf Hakimi to lead as they begin life without Kylian Mbappe

Moroccan defender is one of head coach Luis Enrique's most-trusted players as they look to maintain French dominance

Achraf Hakimi had a successful Olympics with Morocco as he prepares to return to domestic duty with PSG. Reuters

Paris Saint-Germain begin life without Kylian Mbappe when the French champions kick off the new Ligue 1 campaign with a trip to Le Harve on Friday.

Star striker Mbappe joined Real Madrid on a free transfer in July after seven trophy-laden years at the Parc des Princes.

PSG's failure to win the Uefa Champions League counted against them, prompting Mbappe, 25, to join the club he had dreamt of playing for since childhood on a five-year contract.

The pressure is now on head coach Luis Enrique to reshape the team and maintain the club's dominance in France where they have won 10 of the past 12 league titles.

Portuguese midfielder Joao Neves, 19, is a new addition to the PSG squad having joined from Benfica for a fee of around €70 million.

But Luis Enrique will be reliant on a host of his current squad to help usher in a new era that the club's Qatari backers hope will lead to a first European Cup.

Chief among them is Achraf Hakimi. The Moroccan is one of the most highly regarded defenders in European football, renown for his pace and forays down the right flank, as well as his expertise in dead-ball situations.

Hakimi, 25, represented his country at the recent Paris Olympics, aptaining the Atlas Lions win a bronze medal in men's football.

While the burden will be on others to fill the goal void left by Mbappe's departure – the French striker scored 256 goals in 308 PSG appearances – Hakimi's experience alongside the leadership of captain Marquinhos will be vital to PSG's domestic and continental aspirations.

The challengers

Lille could pose the biggest challenge to PSG’s supremacy this season, especially with Bruno Genesio taking over as head coach. The former Lyon boss has inherited a team with a solid foundation and has added key players including veteran defenders Aissa Mandi, the Algerian centre-back who joined from Villarreal, and Belgian full-back Thomas Meunier, who signed after a season in Turkey with Trabzonspor.

Adding to the intrigue is the arrival of Ethan Mbappe, Kylian’s younger brother. The 17-year-old attacking midfielder, who scored twice in a pre-season game, could be a wildcard in Lille’s title bid. While he’s not yet on his brother’s level, Ethan’s development will be closely watched.

Lyon are still trying to recover from a rough 2023/24 season, during which they were dangerously close to relegation for much of the campaign. Pierre Sage, who took over as head coach midway through last season, faces the daunting task of stabilizing the club.

Aissa Mandi, left, has joined Lille from Villarreal. EPA

The team has signed forward Georges Mikautadze, who impressed during Euro 2024, as well as defender Moussa Niakhate, who transferred from Nottingham Forest for €31.6 million to become Lyon's most expensive signing ever. However, doubts remain about Lyon's overall stability and the team's ability to compete at the top.

Monaco, which finished second to PSG last season, enter the new campaign significantly weakened by the departures of two key players: Mohamed Camara, who has moved to Al Sadd in Qatar, and captain Wissam Ben Yedder after the Tunisian's contract expired. These losses have left significant gaps in midfield and attack.

Greenwood joins Marseille

One of the most talked-about transfers in France this summer is Mason Greenwood's move to Marseille. The 22-year-old forward, who was once one of Manchester United's top prospects, left the Premier League in a deal worth €31.6 million.

Greenwood had previously been suspended by United after off-field controversies. He was arrested in 2022 and later charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault. The case was dropped last year. Still, his move to Marseille has faced resistance from some fans, with the city's mayor even speaking out against it.

“I do not want my club to be covered in shame,” Benoit Payan told the RMC radio station. “It is not acceptable.”

Marseille president Pablo Longoria at a press conference to announce the signing of Mason Greenwood. AFP

New Marseille manager Roberto de Zerbi told L'Equipe Greenwood was "the first player I called" upon his own arrival at Stade Velodrome.

"I spoke with his father, who must be the same age as me," the former Brighton & Hove Albion manager said.

'I warned him about the demands of this club, telling him: "Marseille is Marseille".

"He replied: 'I remember the historic Marseille which played in European Cup finals'."

Despite the protests towards the player, De Zerbi said he would continue to defend him.

He said: "I said that when a player becomes my player, I am the first to pin him to the wall when he makes a mistake.

"But towards the outside, I will always defend him as I would defend my son."

Last season, Greenwood scored 10 goals in 36 appearances on loan at Getafe in Spain.

The one-time England cap replaces Gabon forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who moved to Saudi Arabia to join Al Qadsiah.