Warren Zaire-Emery: Reborn from the ashes this season

Sometimes, it is easy to forget just how young Warren Zaïre-Emery is. The PSG academy starlet broke through incredibly early, aged only 16, under the tutelage of Christophe Galtier in the 2022-23 season. His first season was one in which he was rapidly catapulted into a more prominent squad role than he could possibly have expected, making 31 appearances across all competitions, and becoming the youngest ever PSG appearance maker and goalscorer, as well as becoming the youngest ever player to start a Champions League knockout match.

Warren Zaire-Emery: Reborn from the ashes

There had been a sense, no doubt, however, over the last year or so, that Zaïre-Emery’s importance to the team had been diminishing. When Luis Enrique arrived as head coach in the summer of 2023, Zaïre-Emery initially played a very important role: usually as a starter in midfield, he perhaps was at his best in the 2023-24 season, in which he was one of PSG’s best overall performers, and even scored a few goals, including a crucial one against Borussia Dortmund to send PSG through to the knockout phases of the Champions League.

However, the signing of Joao Neves in the summer of 2024, and the subsequent midfield trio of Neves, Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz, that ran riot to great effect last season, has meant that Zaïre-Emery has had less game time over the last two seasons. His appearances have often come off the bench, or more frequently at right-Back, in the absence of Achraf Hakimi.

It is in the latter position that Zaïre Emery is now starting to make a real impact. The vast majority of his appearances this season have come there, and the midfielder by trade is starting to look comfortable in this more defensive position – with his smoothness on the ball and his attacking prowess proving to be useful in a full back role. Indeed, the Frenchman’s versatility has impressed Luis Enrique, as the Catalan coach was left full of praise for the youngster after his assist (this time from defensive midfield) set up Desiré Doué’s opener in Saturday’s 3-0 thrashing of Metz.

Enrique highlighted Zaïre Emery’s versatility in his post match press conference, saying: "Warren has changed but it’s not thanks to me, it’s thanks to him. He is an incredible player who can play anywhere. For me, as a coach, it is wonderful to have a player like him."

Indeed, while Zaïre Emery may not quite feature in PSG’s absolute strongest team, his chameleon like ability to transform himself either into a full back or into a midfielder (either defensive or attacking) has meant that he his the first replacement in a number of different positions.

This, in combination with Enrique’s aggressive rotation policy in Ligue Un games, as well as the injury crisis that has struck down the club this season, has meant that Zaïre-Emery has played a highly important role this season, and will be key going forwards as the Parisians look to compete on two fronts.