Paris Saint-Germain defender Gregory van der Wiel has insisted that his side deserve to be considered clear favourites in Ligue 1 this season due to their unrivalled strength in depth.

The defending Ligue 1 giants have made a solid but unspectacular start to the campaign under new boss Laurent Blanc, following successive draws with victories over Nantes and Guingamp.

Van der Wiel believes that a trio of summer signings will help PSG edge fellow big-spenders Monaco this season, while refusing to discount the challenges of perennial title contenders Lyon and Marseille.

He told the club's official website: "Monaco will be up there, but you can't forget about Lyon and Marseille.

"But I still think we are the favourites because our team is even stronger than it was last season and we are working hard very day to get even stronger.

"Everyone knows all about Edinson Cavani, a great striker. Lucas Digne is a very good defender, very talented despite being so young and the same goes for Marquinhos. They are all very good players."

PSG sit fourth in Ligue 1 a month into the new season, two points behind early pace-setters Monaco.