Dro Fernandez, an 18-year-old Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, spoke briefly to L’Équipe after Saturday’s 1-1 friendly draw against Manchester United. He appeared positive and determined heading into the upcoming season.
“The match was better than Wednesday’s. That’s to be expected; we were coming back from the holidays with only a few training sessions under our belts. I felt good—more confident—and I hope to keep this momentum going and have a great season.”
Indeed, the match against Manchester United was more compelling than the one against Mallorca. This makes sense: match fitness is gradually returning for those who have been present since the start of pre-season following a long break. Other players are also gradually rejoining the squad, though patience will be required during the early stages of the season.
This presents a real opportunity for Dro to prove himself. He did just that on Saturday, notably providing the assist for Ibrahim Mbaye (an 18-year-old forward). Since arriving last January, he has had time to adapt, internalize coach Luis Enrique’s philosophy, and work on his physical conditioning. Physicality is crucial—even if it isn’t the only factor—as a player needs to hold their own in duels to fully utilize their technical ability and vision.
Dro is still young and has time to develop. Yet, he is also eager to play as much as possible, despite facing fierce competition. He needs to remain patient and persistent, as opportunities will come his way. He is also surrounded by a strong support system—a major positive aspect of competing at such a high level. We will certainly be keeping a close eye on his progress this season, hoping to see him make his mark.
