“You don’t talk to me about age, only about football and level.” Kylian Mbappé in the text. “If you’re good, you’re on the pitch, you take responsibility. If you’re not good, you shut up, you look at others,” he added. It was in May 2018, at 18 years old. When it comes to being good and taking responsibility, Warren Zaire-Emery is there. And it’s happy for PSG, because the 17-year-old titi is essential. Forfeited for the end of 2023 after his sprained ankle with the Blues, against Gibraltar (14-0), in mid-November, “WZE” made his return against Nantes (2-1) last week. In time to appear in the 11 in Dortmund (1-1). Scorer, man of the match, savior. “I was very good, I was coming back from injury, I had played a short half-time against Nantes so I was good in terms of legs and cardio, I had prepared well to come back well in this match and that is what happened,” he savored, hotly. Very well even !
And it’s like his start to the season, especially in the Champions League. PSG’s best player throughout the group stage is certainly him. With a goal and three assists, he is also the most decisive Parisian in C1 so far, ahead of Mbappé and his three pawns. “We talked a lot about his professionalism and his personality. He is a very special player. He is capable of scoring, of making people score, it’s a marvel,” Luis Enrique said after Dortmund-PSG. “It’s fantastic, he’s an amazing player! I don’t have the words to say how fantastic he is. I hope he continues like this. He has a good head,” confirms Gigio Donnarumma about the man nicknamed “the Robot” in the locker room for his work ethic.
Nasser Al-Khelaïfi said he was “very proud” of the Montreuil native, “a magnificent player. This is a great example for all Parisians, young people. He had another great match.” One more, with a qualification for the round of 16 of C1 at stake. The glass half full. “We’re happy but we know we could have done better and finished in first place, that was the goal. But we are happy to finish second and qualify. Sometimes the balls don’t want to go in… We created lots of chances and that’s the hardest thing in football,” explained Zaire-Emery, after receiving his second trophy. player of the match in C1. The first was against Milan (3-0). An XXL performance from “WZE”, who had finally convinced Didier Deschamps that the time had come to call him to A. Luis Enrique did not wait to bombard him in the title role. Christophe Galtier launched it at the start of last season.
Express progress for this young man in a hurry, like his surprise return before Dortmund. A timely return, as Zaire-Emery has become an essential link in PSG. Maturity, power, intelligence in the game without the ball, ability to break the lines… A profile that stands out within the Parisian midfield, lacking creativity and physicality. Number 33 already has all the makings of a great one. Promising? Yes but not only that. Already essential.
Also read: Zaire-Emery after Dortmund-PSG: “Sometimes the balls don’t want to go in…”
Enough to amaze Mbappé: “He’s fascinating… He’s already very mature, he plays with a lot of personality. He’s this kind of modern midfielder, who is not afraid to take the ball, advance with the ball, make his team gain meters… In the impact, he is there too, he responds. (…) 17 years old… He is the age of my little brother. It’s crazy… I’m not old, but it gets a little old to see that he arrives, he does his homework… It’s nonsense (smile).” It’s true that between two precocity records, young Warren is preparing for his baccalaureate. UFO. Unique model. Although in terms of precocity, “WZE” will find someone to talk to in the person of Lille Lenny Yoro (17 years old), whom he will meet this Sunday (8:45 p.m.) at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium during Losc-PSG, a match of closing of the 16th day of Ligue 1. Which Yoro would also be in the sights of the capital club and Luis Campos for the summer 2024 transfer window.
Still, between Vitinha and Kang-in Lee, a little light in terms of impact, Manuel Ugarte who is struggling to confirm his excellent start to the season, Fabian Ruiz in the infirmary and Danilo Pereira more often used behind, Luis Enrique clearly can no longer do without Warren Zaire-Emery. And it is neither a gift nor a default choice. Like his match at the Westfalenstadion, or more precisely his second period, the first having been more difficult, the native of Montreuil simply has the level to be a major player in the environment of a club of the caliber of PSG , as crazy as it sounds. “Beyond his physical and technical qualities, he knows how to play with his teammates and that’s what makes great players. In addition, he is humble, and it is the best legacy that parents can give to their children,” “Lucho” savored again recently.
“We will be much better in February,” proclaims Luis Enrique, referring to the Parisian collective. Words that can also be applied to Warren Zaire-Emery, who will progress. Resting on one’s laurels is not the style of the house… After his player of the match trophy against Milan, he declared this: “I’m very happy, but it’s not a question of age. It’s a question of mentality. I always give everything on the pitch and I will give everything for my teammates.” In the meantime, he is gaining experience and confidence.
It will not be a luxury when it comes time to return to the C1. Second in their group, PSG will probably have to struggle a lot in the 8th. Among the potential opponents, Real Sociedad is a real-false Tom Thumb… Otherwise, it will be Manchester City, Bayern, Real, Atlético, Arsenal or Barça. Verdict Monday (12 p.m.). “We will see what happens next but we are ready for all the teams we could face,” insists Zaire-Emery, author of three goals and five assists in 2023-24 (17 matches). And added: “A team to avoid? No, we’re not afraid of anyone. We will watch the draw quietly. No matter the opponent, we will be ready.” Of which act.
Also read: “We’re taking 15 years with the Blues”: Warren Zaire-Emery, portrait of the new phenomenon of French football
In the meantime, Paris has a meeting with Lille, fourth in the standings and which remains in 14 matches without defeat in all competitions, before ending the year against Metz, on December 20, at the Parc. Warren Zaire-Emery will undoubtedly feel dizzy when rewatching the 2023 film. And perhaps also when looking ahead to 2024, with an extension in his sights. It’s going well. On the right track even. In fact, it is only a matter of time. The two parties are only linked until 2025. “He said it, he is Parisian, he wants to stay here,” smiles Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, serene. It can be. His foal “dreams of spending his entire career in Paris,” as he confided to Le Parisien. The Park adores him, PSG sees in him a symbol, an example. Sewn with white thread.
2024 will perhaps also be the year of his first major international competition with the France A team. At the moment, who really doubts the fact that Didier Deschamps will put his name among the 23 Blues for the Euro in Germany? Not many people… Unless they imagine him competing in both competitions, which is what Kylian Mbappé aims to do, Espoirs coach Thierry Henry can already start to make up his mind for the Olympic Games… No problem for Luis Enrique in Paris, he who can lean on his “diamond” at will. And who doesn’t deprive themselves.