Luis Enrique lauds Zabarnyi's progress and signals more minutes
PSG coach Luis Enrique said on Saturday, October 24, 2026, that central defender Ilya Zabarnyi is progressing since his arrival and will receive more playing time, especially with Marquinhos sidelined. The club is monitoring his development as Zabarnyi grows into a more prominent role.
Key takeaways
- On Saturday, October 24, 2026, Luis Enrique stated that Ilya Zabarnyi is progressing since his arrival at Paris Saint-Germain.
- Ilya Zabarnyi, a 24-year-old central defender, was recruited in the summer of 2025 for 66 million euros (bonus included).
- Zabarnyi has two Ligue 1 appearances and one goal this season, his goal coming on October 17, 2026 at Strasbourg.
- Marquinhos, PSG's captain and central defender, is unavailable due to injury, creating playing time opportunities for Zabarnyi.
- Luis Enrique noted that the staff regularly analyzes the player's performances and expects progression compared with last season.
Luis Enrique on the progress of Ilya Zabarnyi
On Saturday, October 24, 2026, Luis Enrique, Paris Saint-Germain's coach, addressed the situation of 24-year-old central defender Ilya Zabarnyi. Signed during the summer 2025 transfer window for a total package of 66 million euros (bonus included), Zabarnyi has already scored one goal in Ligue 1 this season and made two appearances in the league, according to current-season figures.
Luis Enrique affirmed that the club trusts the player and is monitoring his development. The coach highlighted the defender's youth while noting that he already possesses significant experience. According to Luis Enrique, Zabarnyi shows growing ease within the squad and still needs to improve after his first season in Paris colors. The coach also spoke of the challenge of integrating into a competitive team, specifying that the staff evaluate his performances to help him progress.
Impact on playing time and the backline
Marquinhos, the captain and central defender for Paris Saint-Germain, is unavailable due to injury, opening opportunities for Zabarnyi, as indicated by Luis Enrique. The manager suggests the young defender could benefit from more minutes with the first team in the short term. This perspective is supported by Zabarnyi's performances in recent matches: he scored in the 77th minute in the Strasbourg 1-3 Paris Saint-Germain game on Saturday, October 17, 2026, a contribution aligned with the trust shown by the coaching staff.
Luis Enrique added that the club has long sought such a profile, which explains the investment made in the transfer. He reminded that a player's progress is measured over time and that the staff prefers to regularly analyze performances rather than draw quick conclusions.
Positioning for upcoming matches
With several fixtures on the horizon — Paris Saint-Germain vs. Lyon on Monday, October 26, 2026 at 20:30 (Ligue 1, Parc des Princes), then Le Havre AC - Paris Saint-Germain on Friday, October 30, 2026 at 19:00 (Ligue 1, Stade Océane) and Villarreal - Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, November 3, 2026 at 21:00 (Champions League, Estadio de la Cerámica) — the staff will have new opportunities to assess Zabarnyi in match situations. Enrique suggested that defensive rotation and squad circumstances will guide how the player is utilized during these fixtures.
Your questions, our answers
Who is Ilya Zabarnyi?
Ilya Zabarnyi is a 24-year-old central defender signed by Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2025 for 66 million euros (bonus included).
What did Luis Enrique say about Zabarnyi?
Luis Enrique said on Saturday, October 24, 2026, that the club trusts Zabarnyi, sees him increasingly at ease, and that he still needs to improve.
Will Zabarnyi play more?
With Marquinhos out injured, Luis Enrique hinted that Zabarnyi should have short-term playing opportunities.