Alphonse Areola shows off incredible ability to kick cross bar as Gianluigi Buffon is told he is the understudy at PSG

THOMAS TUCHEL has revealed that Gianluigi Buffon will play back-up to Alphonse Areola this season.

Paris Saint-Germain moved for the Juventus shot-stopper on a free transfer over the summer, with many expecting him to displace Areola as the club’s No 1.

Gianluigi Buffon will play back-up to Alphonse Areola this season

Buffon, 40, has won a number of trophies throughout an illustrious career, including 11 Serie A titles and the World Cup.

While Areola, 25, has spent just one season as PSG’s main man between the sticks and is second-choice for France behind Hugo Lloris – although he does seem quite adept at leaping up and kicking the cross bar with his foot.

But that won’t stop Tuchel from picking the ace ahead of Buffon this term, with the German claiming that club-trained Areola embodies everything about the modern-day PSG player.

He told RMC Sports: “Yes I chose. The decision is not final but I told Alphonse that he was in my opinion in pole position to be number 1.

The French goalkeeper has enjoyed a fine start to the season

“He comes from the academy. PSG is everything for him. And he absolutely wants to prove himself to PSG.

“This is a situation that must be respected and capitalised on. We must be proud to have players of this nature, we need this type of players who have the soul of PSG, who embody the club.

“We have a different situation with Gianluigi Buffon, a legend, an idol of Alphonse who is at his side. Both players have very strong personalities. We will have to fine-tune things.

“Gigi knows it, Alphonse knows it, if you get there, in this configuration, to be smart and generous with both, I’m sure we’ll be rewarded. And I’m sure that Alphonse will not be good despite Gigi but thanks to Gigi.”

Buffon was tempted to leave Juventus for PSG over the summer

Thomas Tuchel has hailed Areola as the embodiment of a modern-day PSG player