Dayot Upamecano (27), defender for Bayern Munich and the French national team, shared his opinion on Ilya Zabarnyi (23), the new (and already criticized) signing for Paris Saint-Germain and a key player for the Ukrainian national team. Asked at a press conference, the Frenchman praised the young Parisian’s qualities, while also stating that he had not yet reached his full potential.
Upamecano: “He’s a very aggressive defender.”
“He’s a very, very good defender. If he’s at PSG and a regular starter for the national team, it’s because he’s a good defender. I don’t know him personally, but from what I’ve seen, he’s a good defender. He’s very aggressive, and what’s more, he’s young, so he’s going to improve even more.”
Dayot Upamecano’s comments serve as a useful reminder in a Parisian environment that is often impatient. Having arrived this summer from Bournemouth, Illia Zabarnyi is discovering a very different environment from the Premier League. His start at PSG has sometimes lacked direction, with performances falling short of those that made his reputation in England. In Paris, where every mistake is dissected, criticism was quick to follow.
However, the club’s recent history suggests a more nuanced perspective: Désiré Doué, to name just one, had an inconsistent start before establishing himself permanently. He transformed doubts into triumphs, ultimately lifting the Champions League trophy and winning the 2025 Golden Boy award. Zabarnyi, still adapting, could well follow the same path if he manages to channel his aggression and find his place in Enrique’s defense.
