Didier Deschamps, France national team coach, held a press conference on the sidelines of the French national team’s training camp. The focus was on Paris Saint-Germain, with the return of Warren Zaïre-Emery (19-year-old midfielder) to the U21s, criticism of Lucas Chevalier (23-year-old goalkeeper), and the return to form of Lucas Hernandez (29-year-old defender).
Deschamps: “Warren is a bit of a special case”
“Zaïre-Emery back with the U21s?
I haven’t spoken directly with Warren. But he’s an important bridge (…) Warren is a bit of a special case because he has certain presences with us, without playing a lot with us. It’s not about forcing the player. As long as the player is open and he’s happy about it, Gérald Baticle will call him up.”
Deschamps: “The smallest details or mistakes will resonate much more.”
Chevalier criticized?
“That was already the case in September. He did some great things at Lille, and he knows it. He’s a young goalkeeper. Obviously, with the media exposure in Paris, the smallest details or mistakes will resonate much more.”
Deschamps: “The national team has done him good.”
Lucas Hernandez in form?
“Lucas is doing well, yes, he’s getting more playing time. The national team has done him good, as it often does. Even though he sometimes played as a winger, he’s more in a central role,” comments relayed by RMC Sport.
Zaïre-Emery is indeed experiencing a rather rare situation, returning to the U21s after many months in the first team. However, he was also called up at a very young age, being only 19 years old. It’s also unusual. After seven caps and facing stiff competition, a return to the U21s is nothing to scoff at. The PSG midfielder knows how to accept it; it will give him rhythm and the opportunity to show off. Not to mention, it will help his national team, which is always important.
As for Chevalier, goalkeepers are always heavily criticized in football, and often unfairly. He has already been able to build a certain character, even if the exposure to PSG is unique, as is the waiting. Here, he faced a wave of pressure for a goal that was difficult to avoid as the ball went through the legs of Lucas Beraldo (a 21-year-old defender). But many dismiss this kind of “detail” aside.
Finally, Hernandez is indeed back in form, and that’s excellent news for him, PSG, and the French national team. His versatility helps him get playing time; we must applaud his determination to come back after a second very long injury. Being called up last September may have given him confidence, with the feeling of still “counting” as the 2026 World Cup approaches.
