At 16 years and 330 days, he is the youngest Paris St Germain player to ever score in a Ligue 1 match. Warren Zaïre-Emery celebrated his goal to make it 3-1 against HSC Montpellier, which was also the final score. Yesterday’s game was the seventh of the last eight in which he has featured.
Overall, the Frenchman has already collected minutes in eleven competitive games of the current season – especially as a young player in the star ensemble of PSG exceptional. And Zaïre-Emery also has another record: in August last year, the teenager became the youngest player in France’s top flight against Clermont Foot.
That is what defines Zaïre-Emery
Zaïre-Emery belongs in the category “modern six”. Matthieu Margueritte of the FT-Partner editorial team Foot Mercato gives the following assessment of him: “He’s a defensive midfielder with good physique and very appealing technical skills. He can also play on the eight.” Zaïre-Emery measures just under 1.80 meters and has a precise passing game and close ball handling.
At the tender age of 16, his abilities are outstanding, but the competition for his position is fierce. Above all Marco Verratti (30), Fabián Ruiz (26), Vitinha (22), Carlos Soler (26) and ex-Munich Renato Sanches (25) are fighting for his place in the starting XI. Captain Marquinhos (28) and Danilo Pereira (31) sometimes play the more defensive part. Nevertheless, Zaïre-Emery is already collecting a lot of playing time, so the advances of FC Bayern, which has been watching Zaïre-Emery regularly for a year, are no coincidence.
Bright future at PSG? Coach finds words of praise
With the arrival of Luis Campos as strategic adviser and coach Christophe Galtier, the Parisians have set themselves the goal of retaining the best young talent and equipping them with professional contracts. Departures like Christopher Nkunku (25) or Moussa Diaby (23) should be avoided in the future. In doing so, Zaïre-Emery had “top priority”, as Margueritte knows. Last summer, the right-footer signed with the capitals until 2025, for whom he has been active since 2014.
A few days ago, Coach Galtier commented on himself: “Warren can start in the league and even in the Champions League. Interestingly, our key players see him the same way we do. We feel confirmed in our perception.” So the French U19 international has a great future ahead of him – provided he gets the time he needs on the green pitch. If not, Bayern won’t be the only club keeping an eye on Zaïre-Emery.
