Ilya Zabarnyi, 22, a right-footed central defender, is about to take the next step in his career by joining Paris Saint-Germain, after shining at AFC Bournemouth. Here’s a look at the Ukrainian, his background, some stats, and his potential for the Parisian club.
Career and History
Presentation
Name: Ilya Borysovych Zabarnyi (Ilya Borysovych Zabarnyi)
Nationality: Ukrainian
Age: 22 (born September 1, 2002 in Kyiv)
Position: Central defender (right-footed)
Previous Club: AFC Bournemouth (Premier League)
Training and Professional Debut
Training Clubs: Dynamo Kyiv (Ukraine)
Professional Debut: Joined the Dynamo Kyiv first team in early 2020 at just 17 years old. First league match on September 11, 2020, against Desna Chernihiv (0-0).
First Champions League match on September 15, 2020, at 18 years and 14 days, becoming the second-youngest Dynamo player to play in a European Cup.
Career
Dynamo Kyiv (2020–2023): Rapid rise to prominence, starting in both the league and the Champions League.
AFC Bournemouth (January 2023–2025): Transfer to the Premier League, initial contract until 2028, extended until 2029 in the summer of 2024.
2025, agreement reached with PSG for a contract until 2030.
National Team
Debuted for Ukraine on October 7, 2020 against France, becoming the second-youngest Ukrainian international.
48 caps, 3 goals as of June 7, 2025.
Played at Euro 2020 and Euro 2024, regular starter in major competitions.
Analysis
Recent Statistics
45 matches and 3,919 minutes: Undisputed starter at Bournemouth, one of the most used players in the squad.
Goals: 2 for international players in 2025
Average Rating: Rated among Bournemouth’s best defenders according to reference sites.
Cards: 1 straight red card in February 2025.
Key Qualities
Reading the game and anticipation: Very solid in duels, remarkable reading of lines, few unnecessary fouls.
Volume of play: Tough, rarely injured, plays in consecutive matches without slowing down.
Clean passing: Ability to bring the ball out under pressure, precise vertical passes.
Leadership: Already a defensive leader at Bournemouth despite his young age, a respected voice in the Ukrainian dressing room.
Areas for Improvement
Pure Speed: Not as fast as some Premier League center-backs, can be caught deep against very fast forwards.
European Experience: Has proven himself in the Premier League, but still needs to take a step up in the Champions League.
Aerial Play: Could be improved despite his height.
Role in his Team: Leader of Bournemouth’s defense, often playing against the opposition’s best forwards, responsible for the first pass.
Influence on the game: Stabilizing, reassuring for his teammates, valuable on offensive and defensive set pieces.
Tactical importance: Versatile, capable of playing in a back three or four, adapts to the demands of coach Andoni Iraola.
Potential for development
Strengths to exploit: Heading ability, tactical maturity, consistency at a high level.
Prospects: Could quickly establish himself at PSG, where he would join Marquinhos, Pacho, and Beraldo to form a young and promising defense.
Comparisons with Marquinhos, Beraldo, and Pacho
Vs. Marquinhos
We distinguish two complementary profiles. It’s worth noting that Zabarnyi’s passing statistics are below those of Marquinhos, but PSG have dominated their team this season, which is not the case for Bournemouth. On the other hand, in duels (played more with the English club than at PSG), Zabarnyi was convincing.
Vs. Pacho
He complemented Pacho even more because Zabarnyi has the same quality of passing and ability to use the ball well, which Pacho sometimes lacks. Otherwise, we find similarities in duels (Pacho has the advantage, though). The same goes for passing; it’s difficult to compare a player who plays for Bournemouth and a PSG player.
Vs. Beraldo
Unpopular, Beraldo nevertheless has great qualities. With the ball, he is undoubtedly PSG’s best defender. However, he has one major flaw: duels. In this area, Zabarnyi largely dominates. Otherwise, the two players are quite compatible. It should be noted that Beraldo was excellent with his header.
Conclusion
Zabarnyi has reached every milestone with remarkable precocity, establishing himself as an undisputed starter for both club and country. His well-rounded profile, maturity, and Premier League experience make him a central defender ready for a top European club.
His arrival at PSG, if confirmed, would provide him with an ideal environment to reach the next level and aim for a starting role in the Champions League and with the Ukrainian national team. His current limitations (speed, discipline) seem more than offset by his game intelligence and room for improvement. It’s also worth remembering that he didn’t play for a “dominant” club, which results in statistics that are biased against his potential.
