The PSG prodigy was called up by the Blues coach on Thursday to face Gibraltar and Greece during qualifying for Euro 2024.
Only seventeen years old, but it’s no surprise to anyone as he’s been hitting the screen for several weeks. Didier Deschamps, coach of the France team, called, Thursday, November 9, Warren Zaire-Emery in his list of 23 players for the last gathering of the year of the Blues, who will play Gibraltar (November 18 in Nice) and Greece (November 21 in Athens), as part of qualifying for Euro 2024. “The absence of Aurélien [Tchouaméni, victime d’une fracture de stress incomplète au pied gauche] did not condition the presence of Warren” also clarified the French coach.
Called up for the first time by Thierry Henry among the hopefuls last September and named captain during three of his four selections, the versatile PSG midfielder, sensation at the start of the season, is thus rewarded for his sparkling form. He was notably phenomenal against AC Milan a fortnight ago during the Parisian victory, and regularly decisive in recent weeks (2 goals and 5 assists in all competitions this season).
“Because of what he has achieved with PSG, since the last meeting, he is there with us because he has all the qualities to be at a very high level.insisted Didier Deschamps at a press conference. This is an important step in his career. Everything goes very quickly for him but he also has this ability to assume all these responsibilities.”
“There is competition in his position but what he is capable of achieving with his club, at his young age, already demonstrates enormous potential and a maturity already well established at just over 17 years old.”
Didier Deschamps, coach of the French teamat a press conference
If he were to play a few minutes in the blue jersey during this international window, Warren Zaire-Emery would become the youngest French international since 1945, at 17 years and eight months, ahead of Eduardo Camavinga by one month, who had played against Croatia on September 8, 2020 at 17 years and nine months. He would even become the third youngest player in the history of the French team, behind Félix Vial (aged 17 years and 76 days in 1911) and Maurice Gastiger (17 years and 128 days in 1914).
Furthermore, the French coach did not deviate from his rule by presenting a selection without surprises for the last two days of qualifying for Euro 2024. Already qualified, the Blues will do without, in addition to Aurélien Tchouaméni, Benjamin Pavard, affected left knee and unavailable for six to eight weeks. Jules Koundé is thus back within this French team as is William Saliba, preferred to Axel Disasi. Dayot Upamecano also returns to the Blues.