Illya Zabarnyi is experiencing a Parisian adventure far removed from the expectations aroused by his transfer so far. Recruited in the summer of 2025 for more than 63 million euros from Bournemouth to embody the future of the central hinge and ensure a smooth transition with Marquinhos, the Ukrainian defender is struggling to establish himself in the rotation. Learning the Ile-de-France context and the tactical requirements of Ligue 1 is proving tougher than expected. Initially expected to gain playing time and shake up the established hierarchy, the player finds himself confined to an exclusive role of replacement.
His appearances are becoming more and more occasional, which also surely prevents him from finding his cruising speed and establishing the necessary complicity with his teammates in the axis of defense. Worse still, his few appearances are often accompanied by criticism and blunders which do not speak in his favor. Again this Wednesday for the first day of the Champions League against the modest Slovan Bratislava, Zabarnyi appeared in difficulty. On the only goal conceded by the Parisians, the 24-year-old defender was easily eliminated and was guilty.
Luis Enrique defends Illya Zabarnyi
Which earned him a flood of criticism on social networks, and the former Bournemouth appeared as the only task of the beautiful Parisian evening. This Saturday, on the eve of the trip to Brest in Ligue 1, Luis Enrique directly stepped up to defend himself at a press conference: “it’s normal. If you remember, this is normal. There is always criticism at PSG. If you win 6-1, there are still criticisms. It’s very positive that there is noise, it means that we are in a big club.”
The Spanish technician then brushed aside the global skepticism about Zabarnyi’s level. Sure of his fact, the former Barça coach was keen to recall the previous waves of protest suffered by other executives in the locker room: “I remember the criticism against Barcola, Dembélé, Doué or Luis Enrique. It’s normal. I think it’s just the way it is. We must value being one of the best clubs in the world. I am very happy with my squad.» There is no doubt that the Iberian coach would now like to be able to rely on concrete matches to continue to defend his player.
