Crossover between Lyon and PSG, Parisian striker Tabitha Chawinga joins OL and Griedge Mbock goes the other way

While both clubs are changing coaches this summer, OL have recruited the top scorer from their Parisian rivals, while the capital club have secured the signature of one of the key players in the Lyon defence.

A turbulent summer at the top of French football. After shining in the Paris Saint-Germain jersey last season, Tabitha Chawinga, the league’s top scorer, is joining Olympique Lyonnais until June 30, 2027, the Rhone club announced on Monday. Defender Griedge Mbock is joining PSG for the same period from the Lyon club, where she spent nine years and made nearly 200 appearances, the capital club made official on Wednesday, July 3.

As the two rivals change coaches this summer, and Olympique Lyonnais embraces its independence from the men’s club since Michelle Kang took over, the rivalry is intensifying to attract the best players. A senior player from the French team will strengthen the defense of the Parisians, who in return lose one of the rising stars of world football.

Named best player of the 2023-24 season at the UNFP Trophies, Tabitha Chawinga is a lasting reinforcement for Olympique Lyonnais, while she was only loaned by the Chinese club Wuhan Jianghan University to Paris Saint-Germain during the previous season. Both a revelation and a star of D1 last season, the Malawian striker scored 19 goals in 21 league games, not to mention her six goals in the Champions League and four in the Coupe de France.

“She’s an added strength, I’m happy she’s joining usconfided Lyon striker Eugénie Le Sommer on the sidelines of the French team’s gathering before the Olympic Games. Competition helps you move forward in a club that is playing for all the titles. […] I’ve had competition my whole career and that’s what made me grow.”

This prestigious catch is reminiscent of that of Kadidiatou Diani last summer, who left the capital club for OL after six seasons, 91 goals and a title of best player in the championship (in 2021) with PSG.

After the departure of his coach Sonia Bompastor for Chelsea – accompanied by her assistants Camille Abily and Théo Rivrin – Replaced by Australian Joe Montemurro, who arrives from London rivals Arsenal, the Lyon club continues its transition. To their already plethora of attack, the recent Champions League finalists add a player “renowned for its speed and technical qualities”recalls OL in its press release.

But in this eventful transfer window, Olympique Lyonnais has also lost one of its key players: French international Griedge Mbock (80 caps), who is joining the Parisian rival. The six-time Champions League winner announced her departure on her X account on Sunday, before Paris Saint-Germain made her arrival official on Tuesday: “Nine years of my life and my professional career dedicated to this city and to OL women’sconfided the Breton woman. There has been a huge amount of success, victories, titles, joy, unforgettable moments shared with this incredible group that has never stopped reinventing itself.”

After their failure in the French championship final, Paris Saint-Germain are rebuilding from the ground up. In addition to their top recruit for the central defence, the club have attracted England goalkeeper Mary Earps. “She is a very great keeperassures Sakina Karchaoui, full-back for PSG and the Bleues. She will bring us serenity and the experience she had in selection.” A welcome reinforcement after a year of unfruitful competition between Katarzyna Kiedrzynek and Constance Picaud, who left on loan to FC Fleury 91.

At the same time, the capital club continues its quest for the coach who will allow it to win a second national title. Since its first title in 2021, Paris Saint-Germain has already had three coaches, and announced in June the departure of Jocelyn Prêcheur, who had taken over from his father Gérard on the Parisian bench in the summer of 2023. Vice-champions of France for the eleventh time – including three in a row – The Parisians have once again seen a major player go to the enemy, but still hope to overthrow the hegemonic Olympique.

Interview by Gabriel Joly, in Clairefontaine