PSG Embraces Homegrown Talent Amid Injury Crisis
Homegrown players were once a rare sight on the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) roster, but this trend is changing.
In the early years of the club's Qatari ownership, high-profile signings overshadowed local talent, with notable exceptions like Mamadou Sakho, Presnel Kimpembe, and Adrien Rabiot. Young talents such as Kingsley Coman and Mike Maignan left the club before making a significant impact.
Recently, PSG has shifted its focus towards nurturing French talent, moving away from the so-called "bling-bling" era. This change was evident during last year's treble-winning campaign, which featured players like Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue.
Now, the club aims to further develop its homegrown talent, a strategy accelerated by an early-season injury crisis. Key players including Dembele, Doue, and Achraf Hakimi are sidelined, leading to the inclusion of five academy graduates from the Paris area in the team this season.
The club's comprehensive training and academy complex has played a pivotal role in this strategy. Two years ago, PSG relocated from the Camp des Loges in Saint-Germain-en-Laye to the state-of-the-art PSG Campus, officially inaugurated a year ago. This facility spans 59 hectares and includes 16 pitches, accommodation for 140 young players, educational facilities, and even a vegetable garden.
At an event marking the 50th anniversary of the academy's opening, sporting advisor Luis Campos emphasized the club's long-term goal of integrating more local players into the first team. "The idea is to have players in every age group who can climb the steps," Campos explained, referring to the literal staircase of the PSG Campus, where the senior team trains at the top.
Campos also highlighted that a clearer pathway from the academy to the first team could reduce the club's reliance on the transfer market. He stated, "Going to the supermarket often doesn’t make you a better cook. What’s important is to be going in the right direction, not to stockpile players."
He recalled a meeting with head coach Luis Enrique and youth coaches, where Enrique outlined his "principles of play" rather than prescribing specific drills or formations. Campos noted that Enrique's willingness to play young talents as soon as they are ready has been instrumental since his arrival two seasons ago.
In a recent match against Barcelona, Senny Mayulu led the line and scored in PSG's surprising 2-1 victory. Warren Zaire-Emery, Quentin Ndjantou, and Ibrahim Mbaye also contributed to the win, while 17-year-old Mathis Jangeal made his senior debut shortly before the match.
Mayulu, who scored the final goal in the Champions League final victory over Inter in May, has emerged as one of the success stories of this new direction. The 19-year-old midfielder has showcased his versatility, starting every league game since late September and playing in various positions.
Yohan Cabaye, the academy director since 2024, praised Mayulu for his resilience in overcoming injuries during his formative years. "When he initially joined the academy, he struggled to complete full seasons. He had such strength of character that he always came back," Cabaye stated.
As for Zaire-Emery, Cabaye cautioned against using him as a standard, noting that he is an exceptional case. Now in his fourth season with the first team, the 19-year-old has taken on a leadership role, captaining the injury-hit squad from the right-back position. After a challenging previous season, Zaire-Emery is rediscovering his explosive form and credits his recent stint with the under-21 national team for boosting his confidence.
"I’ve focused on myself, I’ve kept going and worked hard," he remarked ahead of the match against Bayer Leverkusen. PSG has benefited from Zaire-Emery's leadership as he embodies the potential of the new generation of homegrown talent.
To maximize the potential of Parisian talent, PSG faces the challenge of fending off competition from rival clubs. A dedicated team of full-time scouts monitors youth football in the region, aiming to secure a stronger foothold in a talent-rich area that has long attracted interest from domestic and European rivals.
Recent youth championship results indicate that PSG will continue to have a wealth of prospects to promote in the coming years. The under-19 team successfully retained their league title last season and has performed well on the continental stage, drawing attention from scouts. "We often have between 30 and 40 scouts from France and abroad coming to our youth games," Cabaye noted.
However, the academy has faced challenges, including a recent inspection by the labor agency that raised concerns about workload and management issues. Cabaye confirmed that the club had nothing to hide and viewed the inspection as an opportunity for improved communication. "The most important thing is to concentrate on our primary mission, which is to be at the players’ service. The wellbeing of our colleagues is also very important to us," he said.
Looking ahead, the new crop of academy graduates is expected to play a crucial role in upcoming matches, including against Tottenham. Following their success in Catalonia, PSG's homegrown youngsters appear ready to step up and contribute to the club's title defense as European champions.