In a press conference, Didier Deschamps clarified his view of Warren Zaïre-Emery, the 20-year-old Paris Saint-Germain midfielder. In the shared statement, the French national team coach acknowledged his ability to play on the right wing, while reaffirming that his primary position remains in midfield.
Deschamps: “I consider him first and foremost a midfielder.”
“I consider him first and foremost a midfielder. He had a rough patch, went back to the U21s. And since then, he’s regained playing time and his best form. Which is why he’s come back to us.”
Deschamps’ message is clear: Zaïre-Emery can offer an occasional solution on the wing, but this doesn’t change his assessment of the player. The coach isn’t redefining his profile based on a few convincing performances at right-back; he’s returning to what he considers his footballing DNA.
This statement also reveals something else: the Parisian’s return to the French national team is primarily linked to a significant increase in playing time and performance, following his time with the U21s. In other words, Deschamps isn’t ruling out versatility, but he’s establishing a very clear hierarchy. For him, versatility is an option, but the midfield remains the primary focus.
