PSG's Titis come of age against Rennes
There has been a shift in the project at the Parc des Princes, where there is an increased emphasis on PSG's glittering academy. Four of their graduates were on display as the reigning Ligue 1 McDonald's champions dismantled Rennes over the weekend.
Campos vocalises project shift at PSG
"Buying more at the supermarket does not make you a better cook," PSG's sporting advisor, Luís Campos, said last month during a roundtable event that marked the 50th anniversary of the club's academy.
The project is clear. The club want to spend less and develop more. The Portuguese director said that PSG's long-term plan was to involve "more and more players from the Paris area."
He added, "The idea is to have players in every age group who can climb the steps." Homegrown players were something of a rarity in the PSG squad for a long time, despite players such as Kingsley Coman, Mike Maignan, and Christopher Nkunku coming through in recent times. They all left their formative club in order to further their careers, but crucially, a pathway is now provided.
Titi Mbaye 🇸🇳 pic.twitter.com/tF6Bv6CRgP
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) December 8, 2025
Warren Zaire-Emery has long been the poster boy of the club's new strategy, and after a difficult 2024/25 campaign, he is back in full flight. Having regained his place in the France squad, he has also worn the armband at times for PSG and in recent weeks, in the absence of Achraf Hakimi, Luis Enrique has trusted WZE to fill in at right-back. He did so again on Saturday as Les Parisiens ran riot against Les Rennais (5-0).
But he wasn't the only Titi in the starting XI. Senny Mayulu has always been sold a bright future by those who have worked with him at youth level, and he announced himself to the global stage at the end of last season, when he came off the bench to net in the Champions League final win over Inter Milan.
Ndjantou and Mbaye decisive off the bench
He has continued his rise this season. He netted a goal and registered an assist against Rennes. He now has four goals and two assists in all competitions this season.
And other Titis are bursting through, too. When Zaire-Emery was replaced over the weekend, Quentin Ndjantou took his place. He needed only eight minutes to make a big contribution as he set up fellow substitute and academy product Ibrahim Mbaye, who was recently called up to the Senegal set-up. It was Ndjantou's first goal contribution in Ligue 1 McDonald's this season. It was also Mbaye's first goal in the league this season.
Mbaye, Ndjantou, and Mayulu are all following in the footsteps of Zaire-Emery and will look to continue to be impactful. Luis Enrique is clearly not afraid to use them, thus proving that the talk of a shift in culture at PSG is not just a load of hot air.
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