Willian Pacho, the 24-year-old Paris Saint-Germain defender, spoke to UEFA ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League round of 16 first leg against Chelsea at the Parc des Princes (kick-off at 9 pm, CET). The return leg is on Tuesday, March 17. He discussed, among other things, his daily life with coach Luis Enrique and Marquinhos (the 31-year-old center-back and captain).
Pacho said, “He transmits an enormous desire to win and to improve every day.”
“How would you describe working with Luis Enrique on a daily basis?
“He’s a fantastic person. Many people don’t necessarily realize what kind of person he is. He’s genuinely interested in the players as human beings, not just as footballers. He understands what we’re going through because he played himself. On the pitch, he transmits an enormous desire to win and improve every day. Since I arrived, he’s helped me a lot to maintain that idea: you can always improve.
Pacho: “He’s a valuable asset for progressing.”
What has Marquinhos brought to your game since you arrived at PSG?
“Marquinhos is an incredible person. From the moment I arrived, I felt his support. He’s been at the club for a long time, and his example is very important for young players. He has this mentality of always wanting to win and push himself further. The fact that he speaks Spanish also helped me a lot at the beginning. On the pitch, he gives me a lot of advice: how to anticipate, how to read situations, how to…” “Positioning is invaluable for progress.”
This is a sentiment frequently heard from his current and former players. Luis Enrique has a very human approach in addition to a strong tactical vision. There’s this unwavering desire to always do better in order to achieve victories. This is perhaps even more crucial than his playing philosophy, given that football can be played in many different ways, even if one might have a preference for a particular strategy.
Above all, Luis Enrique knows how to listen to his players and offer them advice to help them improve. It’s no longer a surprise to see a player progress under the Spaniard’s guidance. It’s even become his trademark. Vitinha (the 26-year-old midfielder) is a prime recent example, but he’s far from alone.
Pacho is another example, with more effective passing, even if it’s not yet considered a major strength. Of course, there’s also Marquinhos to help him hone his skills as a defender. He’s a truly great player (despite lingering doubts from those who have decided to make him the scapegoat for all the problems). He also has a wealth of experience and the soul of a captain, guiding his teammates.
Pacho is very well supported in addition to his immense talent, so it’s no surprise to see him establishing himself among the best in his position. We can only hope he continues on this path and will later serve as a mentor to other players. Preferably at PSG, of course.
