Martin plays down PSG hype

Lille midfielder Marvin Martin insists his side and others in Ligue 1 should not fear big-spending Paris Saint-Germain this season.

PSG have been spending millions this summer, with the high-profile arrivals of Thiago Silva and Zlatan Ibrahimovic standing out. The rest of the league have been watching on anxiously with many tipping the capital club to dominate the domestic league in 2012-13. However, Martin says sides must not be afraid of their mega-rich rivals. "Do not be jealous of the PSG," he told Maxifoot. "It will be good for Ligue 1 and France in terms of exposure across Europe. I am happy that Thiago Silva and Ibrahimovic now play in France rather than Italy." He added: "I am ambitious. We are not afraid. I hope we will be their main challenger. This championship will be interesting in any case."