Warren Zaïre-Emery offers to play even in goal as he waits for his chance in France's World Cup opener
The 20-year-old PSG midfielder, used at right back last season, has told Didier Deschamps he will fill wherever needed, even goalkeeper, three days before the Bleus begin their 2026 World Cup campaign against Senegal.
Warren Zaïre-Emery's place in France's starting eleven for Tuesday's World Cup match against Senegal is far from secure, but the youngest member of the squad made it clear on Saturday that he will not be limited by a fixed position.
Speaking at a press conference in Waltham, where the French team trains, the Paris Saint-Germain player pointed to a season in which he was the most used outfielder under Luis Enrique, appearing in 54 matches, 21 of them at right back during Achraf Hakimi's long absence. That experience, he believes, makes him a useful option for Didier Deschamps.
A jack-of-all-trades
Zaïre-Emery has been deployed at left back in training, prompting questions about his best role. "When you can play several positions, it's always better, for yourself but also for the coach and the team," he said. "No matter the position, I enjoy it. I love playing football, I take pleasure in 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 that bothered me. I told him honestly there was no problem, if you want to put me in goal, as long as I play, I'll do it with pleasure.
The joke underlined a genuine readiness to adapt, though few expect him to line up in goal at kickoff.
The right-back opening
A more realistic route into the side is on the right of defence. Jules Koundé, the incumbent, has struggled to match the level that made him a fixture, and understudy Malo Gusto has yet to dislodge him. Zaïre-Emery's club partnership with Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembélé adds another argument in his favour.
With 21 outings at right back in the past season and a Champions League title to his name, the midfielder-turned-defender is no stopgap. When Hakimi returned from injury, Luis Enrique kept Zaïre-Emery in the side further forward, a sign of the trust he commands.
Midfield competition
At his natural position in central midfield, where Deschamps operates with a double pivot, the path is tougher. "It's always frustrating not to play," Zaïre-Emery acknowledged. "Every player hopes for minutes, but we have very strong competition with very good midfielders. I'm gaining experience; above all it's a privilege and a pleasure to be here."
The comments reflect a squad where even a European champion must wait. Tuesday's contest with Senegal (21:00 local time) will be the first indicator of where Deschamps sees the young Parisian's role, if anywhere, in the starting plans.
I told him: honestly there is no problem, if you want to put me in goal, as long as I play, it's with pleasure.
