Warren Zaïre-Emery’s performances this 2023-24 season as a 17-year-old have made people double-check what they see. So far, under new manager Luis Enrique, the teenager is playing beyond his years and beyond what anyone would expect from a player his age.
After the Frenchman’s performance in the 3-0 UEFA Champions League win over AC Milan, the comparisons to Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham began. ESPN FC’s Julien Laurens revealed the critical trait that he sees between Bellingham and Zaïre-Emery.
“The maturity, certainly,” Laurens told Gab Marcotti on the latest “Gab and Juls Show.” “I mean, Jude never really looked like a 17-year-old. He looked like a 25-year-old at 17. And I think Warren very much looks like a 25-year-old now when he’s 17.”
The teenager made history, too, with his performance this week against the Serie A side. Zaïre-Emery became the youngest player on record since the 2003-04 season to register two assists in the Champions League (17 years and 231 days), topping Theo Walcott (17 years and 250 days).
Furthermore, PSG is attempting to secure Zaïre-Emery to a long-term contract as his current deal expires in June 2025. Additionally, other European clubs have their eyes on the teenager.
Reports suggest that Bayern Munich and Manchester City could push for him to leave as a free agent. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for the midfielder.
