Top 10 former PSG academy products who left to succeed elsewhere

Les Parisiens have spent mammoth sums of money in transfers of recent decade but failed to identify academy starpower

In the rich history of Paris Saint-Germain's academy, there is a recurring narrative of talented young players leaving the club in search of greater opportunities and success elsewhere. Despite Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) taking over PSG in 2011, and their investments in youth setup, several players have departed and found success at top clubs across Europe.

Paris Saint-Germain's academy has long been known for producing talented players, but it has also experienced a significant exodus of young stars who sought better prospects elsewhere. From the likes of Nicolas Anelka, who left the club as a teenager, to recent departures such as Odsonne Edouard and Christopher Nkunku, these players have found success and established themselves at top clubs across Europe. This trend raises questions about the club's ability to provide a clear pathway for their own talents and retain them in the long run.

The departures from PSG's academy have been a result of various factors, including limited opportunities in a star-studded lineup and the club's pursuit of immediate short-term success. With the pressure to sign established stars, some talented youngsters have opted to seek game time and opportunities elsewhere. PSG's focus on big names has sometimes come at the expense of nurturing their own talents.

However, these departures have often proven to be fruitful for the players, as they have excelled in their respective careers after leaving PSG. Let's delve into the top 10 former PSG academy products who left the club to succeed elsewhere.

10. Odsonne Edouard

Odsonne Edouard joined the PSG youth academy in 2011 and was subsequently promoted to first team in 2016. However, his time in Paris was blunt and short, as he was let go just after a senior year. After departing PSG in 2017, Edouard found home and success at Celtic FC in Scotland. The French striker became a prolific scorer, netting 87 goals and providing 38 assists in 179 appearances for The Bhoys winning four Scottish Premierships. And this further led to Premier League club Crystal Palace signing him in 2021, for whom he scored five goals in 35 2022-23 PL appearances.

9. Mamadou Sakho

Sakho made a name for himself at Paris Saint-Germain by becoming the wearer of captains armband at just 21. But the QSI takeover and Carlo Ancelottie had other plans for him. The local boy of Paris finally fell out of pecking order and eventually had to move away in 2013. Later he thrived and became an integral part of the Liverpool defense and won the hearts of fans during his four-year stay at Anfield. Now we see him back in Ligue 1 but under different colours. Sakho has a contract until 2024 with Montpellier HSC.

8. Matteo Guendouzi

Guendouzi was a first-team regular for Arsenal between 2018-2020 after his move from FC Lorient. PSG had made an early mistake with Matteo Guendouzi when they let him make a switch to Lorient's youth side after nine years of developing him. Although he was outcasted in Emirates after a display of bad behaviour, we now see him back to his ace levels at Olympique de Marseille. The centre-midfielder appeared 33 times in Ligue 1 for 2022-23 season, scoring twice and also handing out four assists.

7. Moussa Dembélé

Dembélé was associated with PSG's academy from 2004 to 2012. His first ever first team experience came at Fulham and thereafter went on to enjoy a successful career in Europe. The striker played for clubs such as Celtic, Lyon, and Atletico Madrid, consistently demonstrating his goal-scoring prowess. He has 70 goals and 19 assists in Ligue 1 while playing for Lyon.

6. Alphonse Areola

The 2018 World Cup winner with France came through the PSG youth ranks from 2006-2010. Areola had fruitful loan spells before establishing himself as a top-class goalkeeper. He played a pivotal role in helping Fulham return to the Premier League during his loan spell there. In July 2022, West Ham finally cashed in on the goalkeeper who was still not featuring prominently in the goalpost. The move was highly beneficial for The Hammers as Areola led in between the posts for the 2023 UEFA Europa Conference League trophy.

5. Christopher Nkunku

After a five-year stay with the youth side, Nkunku was promoted to the first team dressing room of PSG. But his four years in Paris weren't at the levels he is at today. For the Parc Des Princes hosts, he managed just 11 goals and 4 assists in 78 stints. But in July 2019, RB Leipzig got Christopher Nkunku for a bargain at €13 million transfer fee plus bonuses, where he astonishingly flourished as an attacking midfielder. He became a key player for the Bundesliga team, contributing 70 goals and 56 assists in 172 appearances.

4. Ferland Mendy

Although Ferland Mendy was in PSG's academy log between 2004-2012, he never stepped on the pitch as a first-team player. This opportunity was handed to him by AC Le Havre. After gaining two years of experience in top flight, signing for Olympique Lyon in 2017 was a step above in his career. Eventually, we see him lift the UEFA Champions League 2021-22 with Real Madrid after he stepped above further in 2019. The left-back's impressive performances earned him a move to Los Blancos, where he has excelled and won multiple titles, including the FIFA Club World Cup in 2023.

3. Mike Maignan

The goalkeeper, Maignan came to PSG's academy in 2009, and by 2013 he started sharing dressing room with the senior players. But even by two years end, he didn't even feature once in first-team action. After a 2015 move to another Ligue 1 club, LOSC Lille - he became a highly regarded goalkeeper by keeping 65 clean sheets in 180 appearances. His consistent performances earned him accolades and a move to AC Milan, where Maignan and co had a successful run till semi-finals in 2022-23 Champions League.

2. Kingsley Coman

Kingsley Coman, a PSG academy product, won five top-flight titles before turning 21. After a brief stint at Juventus, a successful loan at Bayern Munich led to a permanent move. In the 2020 Champions League final, he scored the winning goal against his former club PSG, ending their trophy chase. Coman has earned eight Bundesliga titles with Bayern, showcasing his remarkable talent and success.

1. Nicolas Anelka

Nicolas Anelka stands out as one of the most notable PSG academy graduates in recent times. Departing for Arsenal in 1997, he embarked on a remarkable journey, representing esteemed clubs such as Real Madrid, Liverpool, Man City, Fenerbahce, Bolton Wanderers, Chelsea, Shanghai Shenhua, Juventus, West Brom, and Mumbai City, with a return to PSG later on.

Anelka's prolific scoring prowess led to a tally of 210 goals at the club level before his retirement in 2015. His international career saw him net 14 goals in 50 appearances for France, while also claiming various league and European titles, including the UEFA European Championships in 2000.