Since his move from Eintracht Frankfurt to Paris, Kevin Trapp has received little playing time. But now there could be a turnaround for the former German national goalkeeper.
The situation is somewhat strange. In the summer, Kevin Trapp and Kaua Santos competed for the spot in Eintracht Frankfurt’s goal.
Only one of them could become number one – either the now 35-year-old veteran or the 13-year-younger challenger. A few months later, neither was a regular starter anymore.
Kevin Trapp moved to Paris FC in the summer
At SGE, Santos had to give way to new signing Michael Zetterer after some weak games. And ex-captain Trapp? He was drawn back to the French capital, where he was already active for Paris Saint-Germain from 2015 to 2018. This time, however, not to the current Champions League winner, but to promoted FC Paris, who invested around 60 million euros to stay in Ligue 1.
Trapp’s new role in the city of love was clearly defined: the former German national goalkeeper was to be number two behind homegrown player Obed Nkambadio.
“For me, it’s important to give everything, train well and help the team with my experience and qualities. To show the coach that he can rely on me when he needs me. I’m also there to help Obed,” said Trapp in the summer. Now, however, there could be an unexpected change.
Is Trapp a regular starter in the future?
The reason: Nkambadio has not left a lasting positive impression after the promotion.
“He’s a great guy, open and attentive. He asks a lot of questions. He already has a lot of talent and will now grow further with the experience from the games,” Trapp emphasized, adding that he gets along and trains very well with the Frenchman. But so far, this has hardly been paid off in sporting terms.
Nkambadio played nine out of ten competitive games, in which the Parisians only took eight points and conceded a whopping 19 goals.
Paris coach Stéphane Gilli reacted last weekend and ordered Trapp into the starting eleven instead of Nkambadio – it was his first appearance since the third matchday. At that time, the German veteran stepped in for his teammate, won 3-2 against Metz with his team and showed some good saves.
Now Trapp was allowed to prove his skills for the second time.
Because Paris surprisingly won 1-0 against second-placed AS Monaco last Saturday. Trapp received strong marks from the French media for his performance. L’Équipe even saw the 35-year-old as one of the best players in the game.
Whether the changing of the guard was only selective or will be of a long-term nature remains to be seen. But the fact that the former Frankfurt player was able to distinguish himself for the second time in his second appearance could secure him the status of number one.
“I’m training even harder now”
Trapp had already emphasized in an interview with L’Équipe in mid-October that he still had the incentive to want to be in the front row.
“I’m training even harder now to put pressure on the others, because that’s how you push yourself forward. Of course, after fifteen years as a regular starter, it’s something different not to play, but I don’t think about it too much,” he said. On Friday, the promoted team will host Stade Rennes (from 8:45 pm in the LIVETICKER). Then there should be a little more clarity about his situation.
For his new employer, the keeper could become much more important than in recent weeks.