Warren Zaïre-Emery, the 20-year-old midfielder for Paris Saint-Germain and the French national team, held a press conference this Sunday. In comments reported by L’Equipe and Le Parisien, he spoke about coach Luis Enrique’s comments regarding his being a substitute in the Champions League final against Arsenal. The Parisian youth academy graduate also discussed his future with the French national team and the position he might play.
Zaïre-Emery: “It’s the coach’s choice, we can’t blame him.”
Luis Enrique’s comments after the final against Arsenal?
“It made me very happy. It’s the coach’s choice, we can’t blame him. The most important thing is that we won the Champions League.”
Zaïre-Emery: “If you want to put me in goal, as long as I’m playing, I’m happy to do it.”
Midfielder or right-back?
“When you have the opportunity to play in several positions, it’s always better for the coach, for the team. No matter the position, I enjoy it; I get that pleasure from every training session, every match. The coach put me at left-back in the last training session.
He came to see me and asked if I minded. I told him: Honestly, there’s no problem at all. If you want to put me in goal, as long as I’m playing, I’m happy to do it.”
Zaïre-Emery: “It’s first and foremost a privilege and a pleasure to be here.”
The status of being a substitute for the French national team?
“I try to manage it as best I can. I’m a very humble person, and I give the best version of myself with a desire to push my teammates, to help them be even better and give even more.”
“It’s always frustrating not to play.” Every player hopes to get playing time, but the competition is very tough with some very good midfielders. I’m gaining experience; it’s first and foremost a privilege and a pleasure to be here.”
Doué or Barcola against Senegal?
That will be up to the coach to decide. I’m torn between the two at the table; the competition is healthy (laughs).”
As is often the case, Zaïre-Emery speaks with disarming simplicity, never forgetting his genuine love for football and the importance of the team. A superb mentality, invaluable in football. However, a touch of annoyance wouldn’t be unreasonable. Even if it’s really not the time to express it.
We need to focus on the World Cup, without forgetting that the midfielder is still very young. We’ve already become accustomed to seeing him at the highest level, and he’s proven that he deserves his place, but he also, logically, has room for improvement. And time to establish himself even further, both at PSG and with the French national team.
For Les Bleus, this could come as the World Cup progresses. Coach Didier Deschamps still seems to be searching for the best possible formula with his squad, and adjustments are also possible depending on the opponent. There’s also the versatility of Zaïre-Emeri, which opens up options, always with the same optimism and determination.
