Zidane rules out Zaïre-Emery at right-back, Luis Enrique responds diplomatically

Zinédine Zidane has made his position clear: Warren Zaïre-Emery will not play right-back for France. In announcing his squad for two UEFA Nations League matches — against Italy on November 12, then Turkey in Bordeaux three days later — the French national team coach was categorical on the subject.

“I don’t see Warren Zaïre-Emery as a right-back at all. He’s good in midfield, we’re not at club level. When I select a player, I want to see him in his position,” Zidane said. A stance that contrasts sharply with how Luis Enrique uses him at PSG, where the 20-year-old midfielder is regularly deployed on the right flank.

When asked about this difference of opinion, the Spanish coach chose the path of deference. “If I had advice to give to Zinédine Zidane? Every coach does his job, and Zidane does it very well,” he replied, refusing to fuel the controversy.

Zaïre-Emery himself made no secret of his eagerness to join Clairefontaine for the first time under the new coach’s orders. Called up for Zidane’s first gathering in September, he had to withdraw due to an adductor injury, giving his place to Maghnes Akliouche. Present on Saturday during PSG’s 1-0 victory over Troyes in Ligue 1, the Paris academy product expressed his relief: “It was frustrating, I went to see them at the last match, they all welcomed me well and I can’t wait to see them all again. Playing my first match with the new coach, that will be something special.”

The disagreement between Zidane and Luis Enrique remains polite but real: one sees Zaïre-Emery as a midfielder, the other as a versatile player capable of filling in on the flank. Ultimately, it will be the national team coach who has the final say at the next gatherings.