Warren Zaïre-Emery on "Gaining confidence" with the U-21s

Ahead of what would be two standout displays with France's U-21s, Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery spoke to our counterparts on the French website. Read more about what he's expecting this season for club and country:

"I'm taking my return very well. I spoke with the coach. I think it's a good thing to enjoy myself, to gain confidence so I can return to the senior team as quickly as possible," Warren Zaïre-Emery said at a press conference in Clairefontaine last Tuesday.

"The coach (Gérald Baticle) called me, asked what I thought, if it was difficult (being relegated to the U21s, editor's note), a blow to morale... I said no. On the contrary, it will allow me to reconnect with my friends, have fun, and get some playing time that I had lost," explained the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder.

Lacking playing time last season at PSG after a sensational professional debut, Zaïre-Emery, 19, with seven caps, has not played for France since last March, playing a few minutes in a match against Croatia in the Nations League quarter-finals.

"Regain a carefree attitude"

"The goal isn't to stay in the U21s for very long," warned "WZE." "The World Cup is the biggest competition in the world, that's clearly a goal," he smiled. "It's up to me to do what's necessary."

Warren with the assist for the France U21 team! 👏 pic.twitter.com/4FeO7iP9Yb

— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) October 14, 2025

Regarding his start to the season at PSG—with increased playing time thanks to injury absences—Zaïre-Emery expressed mixed feelings: "I've had some good matches, others a little less so." After his two ankle injuries in the last two seasons, "I feel good, I can't feel any issues with my ankles anymore,"  the Montreuil native assured us.

Zaïre-Emery said that he "needs to regain a carefree attitude. When you're young, you don't question yourself, you enjoy what you're given, and then you question yourself, which means you lose that carefree attitude. It's up to me to regain this position and do everything I can to keep it."

"We discussed it beforehand; he's a great player, but above all, a great person and a huge football fan," said coach Baticle. "He's here to give us a helping hand. We hope he performs well and finds his way to the top."

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