At the Parc des Princes,
Poor Pierre Kalulu already had a lot to think about, his head in the fog, after the heavy defeat of his team (3-0) at the Parc des Princes, which, in addition to being in the mixed zone, he had to respond to to questions about one of his evening opponents, Warren Zaire-Emery. The French defender from AC Milan, before returning home, played the game in front of the journalists, as the performance of the 17-year-old PSG midfielder on Wednesday evening was dazzling.
“Beyond age, I just see a player with great qualities, an important player for PSG this season, one of their strong pieces,” commented the player trained at Olympique Lyonnais. I hope for his sake that it continues like this. » “Like that”, as Pierre Kalulu says, it’s a full, superb match, full of forward races, recoveries, pressing, punctuated by two assists for Kylian Mbappé and Kang-in Lee (we will come back).
“Before, I would have fallen”
However, like his team, of which he would almost become the barometer even though he is not yet an adult, the Parisian titi’s start to the match was messy, marked in particular by ball losses and poorly given passes. and a slightly gross foul on Olivier Giroud. But it was to better appreciate the demonstration that was to follow. Just ask poor Tijjani Reijnders, the Rossonero midfielder, who saw WZE slip past him, despite repeated clashes, before breaking through the Italian lines to find Kylian Mbappé, author of the opener.
“I pass in front of him and then… Before, I would have fallen, I think. Now, I stayed upright, I gave everything, and that gave Kylian a decisive pass,” Warren Zaire-Emery soberly explained in the mixed zone, who seemed a bit impressed, his cheekbone a little red, to find himself in front of the microphones. “Physically, he is someone who is very solid,” explained Hervé Guégan, youth coach at PSG, who coached WZE when he was younger. He passed the pace of Ligue 1 without problem, and the same for the pace of the Champions League. »
“I play the football that I was taught”
Ligue 1, Champions League, it doesn’t matter for Warren Zaire-Emery, not yet an adult, who had already been impressive in the hell of Saint-James Park, in Newcastle, where his team had nevertheless foundered (4-1). “The important thing is to give everything, to remain yourself,” commented the native of Montreuil (Seine-Saint-Denis). I play the football I was taught, and that’s what I do best. It’s not a question of age, but of mentality. I always give everything on the pitch, and I will give everything for my teammates. »
Against the Milanese, the kid’s stats sheet was full: 63 balls touched, 8 recoveries, 4 chances created, 2 assists (yes and 12 lost balls, but shush). Impressive for the man who was named man of the match. “He is a complete player, he has the quality of passing, he is capable of hitting, of analyzing situations very quickly, of scratching balls, of being creative, analyzed his coach during the Euro U17 in 2022, José Alcocer. He really has a lot of qualities, he is a player on whom we can rely on defensive animation, because he understands very quickly, he will know what to do up to scratching the ball. And on the offensive side, he is a player who can get into the intervals, who is able to orient himself well, he has a very good touch on the ball. »
“The perfect example for the young people of Paris”
Like on the third Parisian goal, where he achieves magnificent oriented control which allows him to open up space on the right side of the Parisian attack. And after yet another breakthrough, he found the lucidity, in the 88th minute of play, to send a subtle cross back to Kang-in Lee, who took advantage of the fact that Gonçalo Ramos let the ball pass. “Warren is a surprising player for his 17 years,” commented Luis Enrique after the match. He does everything well, attacks, defends, is aggressive, has good vision. He scores goals and makes assists. This is the perfect example for all young people in Paris who want to one day become a PSG player. »
And maybe more. Already promoted to the France Espoirs team, where Thierry Henry has entrusted him with the armband, Warren Zaire-Emery could he already knock on Didier Deschamps’ door. That’s good, the coach was in the stands of the Parc des Princes to attend this meeting and the little boy’s demonstration. “I have never seen a player of his age be so mature,” Thierry Henry said on CBS. It’s rare to see a young player in this position. The sky is the limit. »
While waiting to see him rub shoulders with the stars, and to put some on the jersey of the France team, Warren Zaire-Emery still has a little work to do. Firstly, find a place to put your man of the match trophy. “I’m going to find a little place for it on the shelf in my room,” smiled the midfielder. In a few months, it will not be a shelf that will be needed, but an entire room. Get a head start, Warren.