A former PSG academy graduate’s regrets over the new PSG

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·12 May 2026

A former PSG academy graduate’s regrets over the new PSG

Eric-Junior Dina-Ebimbe, a 25-year-old midfielder loaned by Eintracht Frankfurt to Brest, still looks back in a particular way on his time at Paris Saint-Germain, where he was developed before his move to the German club. Speaking to Foot Mercato, the former PSG academy product made his regret clear: not having played within the collective setup now established by Luis Enrique.

Dina Ebimbe: “We can’t know what direction my career would have taken with him”

“He built a team with names that were not necessarily flashy at first, and he trusted young players. So what could be better for a player than having a coach like that? We can’t know what direction my career would have taken with him. He helps young players develop, brings them to maturity, and gets the best out of them.”

Dina Ebimbe: “We were in the middle of stars, with all the problems that came with that”

“You just have to look at Vitinha, who was criticized and has become the best midfielder in the world. I’m not saying that Xavi (Simons) and I were at Vitinha’s level, but if we had been better supported… We don’t know. We were surrounded by stars, with all the problems that came with that, and we were 19-20 years old, so it’s hard to make your mark.”

The feeling expressed by Eric-Junior Dina-Ebimbe goes beyond simple personal regret. Above all, it highlights the contrast between two eras at PSG. During his time in Paris, the midfielder had to try to carve out a place for himself in an environment dominated by stars, status, and pressure that was hardly favorable to young players still developing.

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Today, under Luis Enrique, Paris Saint-Germain seems to have reversed that logic: the team comes before the headline names, individual progress takes place within a clear framework, and young players are no longer just thrown in, they are supported. That is precisely what Dina-Ebimbe seems to be praising. Through his perspective, the Spanish coach’s method appears to be a key asset: giving time, structuring roles, and allowing talents to grow without being crushed by the setting.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.