Home News Galtier is negotiating with Kimpembe to clear up confusion with vice-captain

Galtier is negotiating with Kimpembe to clear up confusion with vice-captain

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Christophe Galtier has held talks with Prenel Kimpembe to clarify that the centre-back remains one of the vice-captains of Paris Saint-Germain.

Kylian Mbappe wore the captain’s armband in Monday’s Coupe de France match in a 7-0 win over sixth-tier Pays de Cassel in the absence of permanent skipper Marquinhos.

Speaking to reporters after the cup rout, Galtier said Mbappe, who has scored five times, “deserves” to be second captain when Marquinhos is unavailable.

Kimpembe, who hasn’t played since November with a heel injury, said on social media on Tuesday that he had not previously been informed of Galtier’s decision.

However, PSG head coach Galtier has since discussed the matter with Kimpembe to clear up any misunderstandings.

“I didn’t put it well on Monday,” Galtier said at a pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s Ligue 1 game against Reims.

“The choice is clear: Kylian is one of the vice-captains. Every time Kimpembe was on the field and Marquinhos wasn’t, Kimpembe had a headband.

“When Marquinhos is not available, there is another captain. Neither Kimpembe nor Marco were in the match against Lens [Verratti] nor Marquinhos, so Kilian was the captain.

“I decided to make Kylian captain in the last game because he is one of the vice-captains and not a vice-captain. I spoke to Kimpembe to explain all this.”

PSG’s win over the Pays de Cassel came amid a 1-0 loss to Rennes in their last Ligue 1 match as their lead at the top of Lance narrowed to three points.

However, they have not lost a consecutive league match since September 2020, and their return to 47 points from 19 matches is their fifth-best record so far.

However, the defending champions will face a major test this weekend as they take on a Reims team that has not lost in 11 Ligue 1 games – the longest streak of any team in the division.

“It will be difficult for us to start this series of games,” Galtier said. “They have changed the system and the coach and we know it will be a challenge for us.

“Now Kimpembe is back in training and Marco Verratti is back in the group. We need to get on with the calendar and focus more on recovery.”

PSG have been unbeaten in their last 31 Ligue 1 games at the Parc des Princes, winning 27 of them and scoring in each of their last 20 on home soil.

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