Illia Zabarnyi shows improvement but big-stage doubts persist at PSG | OneFootball

Illia Zabarnyi, a €65m summer signing, has pieced together three assured displays after a shaky first half of his Paris Saint-Germain debut season. Whether this run truly launches his PSG adventure remains open.

According to L'Équipe, the 23-year-old Ukrainian international, signed as cover for Marquinhos after Bournemouth, struggled with positioning, depth and distribution, and he suffered in the 1-3 loss at Rennes. Publicly backed by Luis Enrique, who cited adaptation, he has since looked composed against Auxerre, Metz, a 3-0 on 21 February, and Le Havre, though sterner tests await.

Recent outings pointed to smarter positioning and greater edge in duels, both aerially and on the floor. His long passing, switches and carries have sharpened, and unlike some team-mates, Pacho for example, he has taken risk on first balls. Managing runs in behind remains the key doubt.

With three months left he has already played 27 games, a tally he and his camp do not find disappointing. He rejected other offers during slow summer talks to join the European champions and accept a learning spell. He is taking French lessons and lives in Neuilly-sur-Seine with his wife and dog.

Internally he is viewed as calm and clear-eyed. "Criticism is always part of football. I have always stayed focused on my matches and on what I can do. I want to keep going. Whenever the coach gives me minutes, I must deliver," he told Ligue 1+.

Doubts persist and it seems unlikely he will dislodge Marquinhos for major Champions League nights. The Brazilian remains a listened-to captain and removing him would risk upsetting the balance. Aside from Barcelona, where he was notably assured, Zabarnyi still needs a second season of affirmation to become the true successor to Marqui.

Source: L'Équipe