Paris Saint-Germain are no strangers to eye-watering transfer fees, yet even by their standards, the pursuit of Illia Zabarnyi turned heads. The 22-year-old Ukrainian center-back has joined PSG from AFC Bournemouth in a deal reportedly worth up to $73 million. For a player plucked from a relegation battle on England’s south coast, it’s a blockbuster fee that signals just how highly PSG rate Zabarnyi.
Zabarnyi’s rapid rise from Dynamo Kyiv prodigy to PSG’s latest defensive hope is a story of precocious talent meeting the right opportunity. Thrust into Dynamo’s first team at just 18 amid an injury crisis, he was suddenly marking Lionel Messi in a Champions League clash and holding his own.
By 19, he was starting for Ukraine at the Euros. A move to the Premier League followed in 2023 – Bournemouth saw his potential and made him their record signing. After an injury-disrupted start in England, Zabarnyi established himself as a regular last season, impressing enough that Luis Enrique and PSG’s recruitment team earmarked him as a priority target.
Luis Enrique’s demands: build-up, press, and a high line
Luis Enrique’s blueprint is a high-pressing, possession-dominant 4-3-3 that asks defenders to do much more than defend. Center-backs in Enrique’s system are playmakers in build-up, aggressive enforcers out of possession, and safety nets against counterattacks. In possession, PSG often form a three-man base, with full-backs tucking into midfield to give center-backs wide passing lanes. Composure and vision from the back are paramount.
When the ball is lost, Enrique demands an aggressive high press. PSG defend with man-to-man intensity, pushing up into a high line. This means center-backs must be comfortable defending large spaces behind them, stepping into midfield to track strikers, and winning footraces against balls played over the top.
Style and strengths: what Zabarnyi brings
At 6-foot-2 (1.89m) with a strong build, Illia Zabarnyi looks every inch the classic center-back. But it’s his adaptability to high pressing, recovery speed, and proactive defending that make him a strong fit for Enrique’s system. Under Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth, Zabarnyi learned to engage attackers early, often near the halfway line, and support a high defensive line.
He’s also one of the fastest center-backs in Europe, clocking 36.6 km/h in the Premier League last season. That speed, coupled with intelligence in positioning, makes him ideal for Enrique’s aggressive defensive shape. On the ball, Zabarnyi is calm under pressure and boasts a passing range that includes accurate long balls to switch play or launch counterattacks.
Areas for improvement include aerial dominance, where he has shown flashes of strength but occasional inconsistency. Still, at 22, PSG believe he can develop into a complete defender.
| Player | Age | Prog P/90 | Pass% | AirD/90 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illia Zabarnyi (BOU) | 22 | 3.83 | 82.5% | 2.11 |
| Marquinhos (PSG) | 30 | 6.44 | 94.5% | 1.50* |
| Milan Škriniar (INT)** | 30 | 2.38 | 95.5% | 1.30* |
| Lucas Beraldo (PSG) | 21 | 5.73 | 94.3% | 1.80* |
*Approximate league figures. **Škriniar’s stats are from Inter pre-PSG.
From Kyiv to Paris: a rapid rise
Born in Kyiv in 2002, Zabarnyi joined Dynamo’s academy and rose quickly. At 18, he debuted in the Champions League against Barcelona and never looked back. A Euro 2020 run with Ukraine cemented his reputation.
In 2023, Bournemouth signed him for $26 million, but after proving himself in the Premier League, he attracted PSG’s attention.
A $73M gamble: reception and expectations
PSG fans have largely welcomed the signing as a smart, future-focused move, praising his youth, speed, and composure. Critics point to the high fee for a player yet to prove himself at the elite level. Pundits like Florent Sinama-Pongolle have lauded his intelligence and passing range.
The expectation is clear: Zabarnyi is here to be more than squad depth. PSG see him as a potential defensive leader for years to come. If he adapts quickly to Enrique’s system, the investment could pay off handsomely.
