Mamadou Sakho, the 35-year-old central defender trained at Paris Saint-Germain and now with Torped Koutaïssi (Georgia), spoke to L’Equipe in an interview published this Monday. The French international (29 caps) took the opportunity to talk about the development at PSG of Ousmane Dembélé (27-year-old striker), coach Luis Enrique and midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery (18-year-old midfielder).
Sakho “I pull my crest out on his management.”
“What’s your take on Dembélé’s moult and his new status as a striker?
He’s shut a lot of mouths. I’m not surprised, because he’s bursting with talent. That tells me that when a coach manages to put him in the right conditions, when he finds the right formula, that’s what happens. Maybe he’s also turned a corner mentally. I’m glad. What he’s doing is impressive.
You mentioned Luis Enrique: how do you rate his work?
I like the way he’s close to his players. He protects his players. I’ve always believed that great coaches protect their players. He knows his men, and I like the way he’s the father of the family (smiles). I pull my hair out on his management (laughs). After that, of course, he has a vision of soccer that I like. His team is flourishing, and so are the fans.
Sakho “He can be proud of what he’s achieved.”
What do you think of the development of another “titi”, Warren Zaïre-Emery?
He can be proud of what he’s achieved. It’s harder to get out of the PSG training center than it is elsewhere. He’s made a very good start to his career. He’s a very shy kid, but he’s making good progress. It’s important that this team has that Parisian identity.”
Sakho’s rather strong statement that Dembélé has been able to silence the critics could work for Dembélé, Luis Enrique and Zaïre-Emery too. However, Dembélé has done well to silence the critics, but that’s partly because he’s progressed.
It was obvious that he wasn’t efficient enough. Which didn’t make him a bad player, as he’s always been incredibly creative. But his finishing was very frustrating. The French international was able to turn the corner in 2025, thanks to his hard work and no doubt to coach Luis Enrique (in his choices and confidence). It’s an excellent thing.
It’s one of the successes of coach Luis Enrique, who was particularly criticized for months. There was even talk of “losing” his squad, especially the strikers, whom he “bridled”. A few weeks later, with greater efficiency, his PSG impressed everyone and arrived in full confidence for Liverpool. His playing philosophy is still the same, except that it is more controlled and more effective.
As for Zaire-Emery, he was also criticized after his return from a badly sprained ankle. He was reduced to a player for whom everyone got excited for nothing. But the Titi has finally and logically returned to form, reminding us that he belongs at the highest level. Even if he still needs to grow up, of course. He’s only 18, let’s not forget.
