Digne recruited this summer, but Zaïre-Emery starts on the left: PSG raises questions

Warren Zaïre-Emery was fielded in PSG’s left defensive flank during the draw at Lille (2-2, Matchday 2 of Ligue 1) on Friday evening, ahead of Lucas Digne. A choice by Luis Enrique that surprised observers, with Nuno Mendes, the usual starter in the position, absent.

Digne had been recruited this summer precisely to cover for the Portuguese fullback’s absences. Ten years after leaving the club for FC Barcelona, the French international returned to the capital with this clearly defined backup role. But since the start of Ligue 1, his playing time has remained very limited: one start in the Trophée des Champions (60 minutes) and an 18-minute appearance off the bench against Lille, totaling 78 minutes across four matches.

Zaïre-Emery’s selection, who had played on the right many times last season, has fueled questions. Pundit Pierre Ménès stated on his YouTube channel that Digne “doesn’t appear to have Luis Enrique’s confidence at this point.” Former Polish international Ludovic Obraniak, on L’Équipe’s channel, expressed his bewilderment: “I don’t understand what justifies Lucas Digne not starting. Why go after Lucas Digne in the transfer market if it’s to play Zaïre-Emery? Plus, Mendes isn’t there, so if you don’t play even when he’s unavailable, that’s surprising.”

Luis Enrique is known for practicing wide rotation early in the season, and he likely has an explanation for this choice. Yet Digne’s situation—recruited for a specific role and underused even when the starter is unavailable—raises legitimate questions about his true place in Paris’s hierarchy.