PARIS, France.- Warren Zaïre-Emery, the young Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, has made a notable entry into the French national team, demonstrating his studious nature during his first training session with the senior team at Clairefontaine. The tradition of a light first outdoor training session was upheld, and in Kylian Mbappé's usual absence for indoor exercises, the focus shifted to Zaïre-Emery, especially in light of Aurélien Tchouaméni's injury, with the young player donning the number 8 jersey.

The session began with a solemn minute of silence, honoring the 130 victims of the November 13, 2015 Paris attacks. On the field, a calm atmosphere prevailed, with players like Olivier Giroud and Jean-Clair Todibo joining Zaïre-Emery for light jogging and agility drills. Kingsley Coman and Adrien Rabiot, among others, engaged in support exercises and small-sided games.

The training also saw Robin Risser, the third goalkeeper from the Espoirs and a player for Dijon in National, stepping in as a makeshift barrier for the players' shooting practice. The upcoming sessions, including one open to the public, are in preparation for Euro 2024 qualifiers against Gibraltar and Greece. Despite already securing qualification, the team remains focused on these important matches.

French coach Didier Deschamps spoke candidly about various topics, including Zaïre-Emery's integration into the team. Emphasizing his reluctance to compare players across generations, Deschamps acknowledged Zaïre-Emery's precocity and maturity. He stressed the importance of not singling him out for special treatment due to his young age (17 years and 8 months), aiming to maintain a level playing field within the team.

Deschamps also addressed questions about Ibrahima Konaté's injury and the recent comments from Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp. He dismissed the idea that Klopp's remarks influenced his decision not to select Konaté, citing the player's fitness as the primary concern.

In addition, Deschamps shared his views on Luis Enrique's comments about Kylian Mbappé, Antoine Griezmann's versatile roles at his club, and the perceived gap between William Saliba's club and national team performances. He also touched on the ongoing evaluation of players for the right-back position, highlighting the need for constant vigilance in player selection and development.