Warren Zaïre-Emery, PSG’s boar-like powerhouse dominating shoulder-to-shoulder duels | OneFootball

Warren Zaïre-Emery has returned to his best in recent months, his natural power making him near-untouchable in shoulder-to-shoulder duels, according to L'Équipe.

France Under-21 coach Gérald Baticle considers his upper-body strength exceptional and unusual in football, likening it to that of a boar.

That quality was clear on 25 October 2023 in PSG’s 3-0 win over AC Milan in the Champions League group stage, when he outmuscled Theo Hernandez. Then 17 and in only his second senior season, he had already picked up the dressing-room nickname Robot.

PSG point to gym work and nutrition for his progression, while accepting he started with significant natural advantages. His camp say confidence explains the renewed dominance, and that he has always trained ferociously.

A left ankle sprain in the 4-1 win over Stuttgart on 29 January 2025 held him back as Joao Neves, Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz excelled. Former PSG midfielder Younousse Sankharé highlights his sturdiness, relish for duels and scope to keep adding upper-body mass.

Since 17 September he has not left the XI, impressing at right-back while covering for Achraf Hakimi, first injured then away at AFCON with Morocco. Baticle says full-back has broadened his range and exposes him to more shoulder contests, and inside the club he is viewed as physically and mentally mature. The target now is marginal gains.

Source: L'Équipe