Paris is perhaps the most productive city for player development in the world. But could you beat one of the richest, most global clubs in football using only players from the City of Lights? Martin Vert has been set that challenge.

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It isn’t an exaggeration to say that preseason has been exhausting for me and Stephane Paganelli, and all of the recruitment staff. And I am still on them to find me a striker that will score some goals. But with 14 signings for a grand total of €1.8million, we have a squad that I hope is able to survive in Ligue 1. And that isn’t false modesty – I am generally an optimistic person, and aim as high as possible, but at the moment, with that many players to gel together and the significant jump in quality, I would bite your hand off for any kind of survival. Even if it’s in the relegation playoff. Which has returned now that the league restructure has been completed. Ligue 1 has been scythed down to 18 teams, meaning we need to be one of the best 15 teams in France to avoid the relegation zone. Which, really, is the first major test for Paris’ player production line.

Given the amount of scouting reports I’ve been going through, in the hundreds, as well as dozens of triallists, I handed our preseason schedule to Stephane. I arranged some difficult ties in there to test us, and they really did. In the end, it probably hasn’t done wonders for our confidence. But I don’t think that is going to make a difference for the first game anyway, against reigning champions Lyon.

I am delighted when the scouts get back to me with one more push for a centre forward. Steve N’Goura plays for Le Havre, is only 18, has some pace and can dribble. He is also a better finisher than either Arnaud Tattevin or Kevin Mbala. He costs €2.5m which is frankly an outrage, but we are desperate, and the price is offset by his very reasonable wage demands, so I splash the cash. If it works out, he could well be a long-term option up top for us. I don’t like this kind of gamble, but Tattevin and Mbala struggled to score goals in a significantly weaker Ligue 2, so we need to try something. I’m excited to have him in the squad in time for the Lyon game.

The champions come to the Stade Pierre-Brisson – yes, we’re back in Beauvais – having strengthened their title winning side to the tune of almost €25m, with the signings of Oscar Mingueza, Fredrick Bjorkan and Sekou Mara. It’s a prestige game, and the Pierre-Brisson is at capacity to see a whole host of top internationals. Alpha Sissoko twisted an ankle in training, so I pick the best side available to me and hope we can put on a show.

When Brahimi gives us the lead midway through the first half, I think we’re lucky. When we make it to half time with our clean sheet intact, I think we’ve got a chance, but in the second half the champions make sure we know how good they are. Shaqiri is pulling all of the strings, scoring Lyon’s first just after the hour and then setting up Dembele and Paqueta to put us to the sword. Fofana stops the game running away from us, and in the end we won’t face many teams more talented than these, so we can take some heart from the performance.

Next up we have a trip to Toulouse. They barely survived by the skin of their teeth last season, and have the second lowest wage bill in the division. We have the lowest, roughly half of Toulouse’s. And 1.5% of PSG’s wage bill, for anyone who’s counting. Regardless, if we are going to survive this season, Toulouse are the kind of team we’ll need a result against. Alpha Sissoko comes in, along with Moussa Diarra and Brahima Doukansy. If we play like we did in the first half against Lyon, we’ll be fine.

It’s a magnificent performance, and Toulouse barely get a look in. Whenever they cross the half way line, our defence makes light work of winning the ball back, and it’s this that leads to both of our goals. The first comes when Camara starts a lovely little move down the right hand side, which is played inside to Brahimi and then out to Farrugia on the left. The Irishman beats his man and fires low into the corner. The second is much simpler, as Sissoko wins the ball on the right and plays it to Barreto, who hits a long, angled ball. Steve N’Goura gets on the end of it and hits a frankly outrageous shot from distance that flies into the top corner. Doukansy misses a penalty in the second half, but we close the game up and they don’t get a sniff. 3 points on the board.

I think there is going to be a problem with Mamadou Tounkara. Way back in January when I agreed the deal to bring him back to Paris, I promised him I would strengthen up top. I didn’t realise how difficult it would be to find a striker, and he doesn’t seem to care that I’ve just paid out €2.5m – a significant club record – on N’Goura. So moves will have to be made again to ensure we have cover at the back. Fortunately he came in on a free, his wages aren’t bank-busting, and he’s only our fourth choice centre-back, so if he decides to have a whinge it won’t be too disruptive.

Angers are the visitors to the Stade Pierre-Brisson next, and they’re a good, solid team. They have finished the last two seasons in the middle of the pack, and have European ambitions this time around. But a mid-table team, at home, while we’re in good spirits. That feels like an opportunity. We’ll keep the same side for this one, apart from Massouema coming in for Doukansy who picked up a knock in training, and try to put some more points on the board.

It’s a really even game, and it can only be unlocked by a moment of supreme quality. Fortunately for us, it’s Lamine Fomba who provides it. Angers miss their best chance inside five minutes, when Cho break through the defence but inexplicably fires wide. Our goal comes not long after, when some good play on the left advances us upfield before Latouchent lays it across to Fomba, who drills it from outside the area. It rebounds almost straight down off of the crossbar, but bounces over the line. N’Goura has a really good chance to make it two right on half time, but somehow puts it over. We close down in the second half and it passes without a single highlight-worthy incident, which I’ll take every single time.

All of which leaves us all the way up in sixth as August comes to a close. A European place. Which would be very nice. Although I can’t see a world in which it lasts, it’s nice to get some points on the board early.

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