Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s season began beneath the lights in Salzburg, with a shot driven into the roof of the net and Paris Saint-Germain on their way to silverware. A month later, that opening thunderbolt remains his only goal — and the Georgian winger’s quieter run has become a talking point around the French champions.
A bright start followed by a slower spell
- On 12 August, Kvaratskhelia scored in PSG’s 2-1 European Super Cup victory over Aston Villa at the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg. His powerful finish under the crossbar set Paris on course for the trophy.
- The 25-year-old has not found the net again since that match, despite featuring in every PSG game so far this season.
- Luis Enrique has managed his minutes closely, at times leaving him among the substitutes. Kvaratskhelia was also taken off at half-time during the 2-2 draw away to Rennes.
- In PSG’s 2-1 Ligue 1 win at Marseille on Sunday, the Tbilisi-born forward had 42 touches, two attempts at goal — one on target — and two dribble attempts before Ferran Torres replaced him.
- Torres made an immediate impact after entering, adding further scrutiny to Kvaratskhelia’s display at the Vélodrome.
Kvaratskhelia, who has 50 caps and 23 goals for Georgia, did not play at the 2026 World Cup during the summer. Yet his early-season form has fallen short of the standards expected from a player regarded as a possible Ballon d’Or contender.
There has been one notable attacking contribution beyond Salzburg: he supplied Marquinhos in PSG’s 2-1 defeat to Monaco. But the return has done little to settle concerns over a player who was among the decisive figures in last season’s Champions League-winning campaign.
Debate over fitness, form and season management
Jérôme Rothen believes the issue is not simply a lack of end product. He questioned Kvaratskhelia’s energy and involvement, arguing that a player in the Ballon d’Or conversation must make more happen when he steps on to the pitch.
“What I hold against him is what usually makes him strong: his commitment,” Rothen said. “There has been a succession of competitions, but he still had some time off. I am not asking him to be at his peak, but when we speak about the Ballon d’Or, we have to demand more.”
Rothen added that the Monaco assist was only “the outline of a good match” and said the winger’s display in Marseille had left him wanting more. He hopes the forthcoming international break, when Kvaratskhelia joins Georgia coach Willy Sagnol, can help the attacker regain confidence and sharpness.
“At the moment, he does not look right mentally or physically,” Rothen said.
Eric Di Meco took the opposite view, urging patience with the PSG forward. He pointed to the previous campaign, when Kvaratskhelia also started slowly before finishing the season strongly.
“It is very rare for a player to begin at full speed, accelerate in the middle of the season and end even stronger,” Di Meco said. “There is management across the season. These players are used to the decisive period. For PSG, that is broadly February through to May.”
For Di Meco, Kvaratskhelia’s record since arriving in Paris outweighs a subdued opening stretch. PSG will now wait to see whether the international break provides the reset Rothen expects — or whether the slow burn Di Meco predicts begins to take hold.
