Enrique: Achraf is the best right back in the world, that s why he didn t sign a substitute for this position

Football 11:14pm, 24 October 2025 159
At 11 pm on October 25, in the 9th round of Ligue 1, Paris challenged Brest away. Before the game, Paris coach Enrique accepted interviews with the media at a press conference.

■When a reporter asked Achraf whether he deserved to win the African Ballon d'Or, Enrique did not comment positively on the award, but instead explained why the team did not introduce a new right back.

Enrique said: "Honestly, I have to know the level of the other candidates to make an opinion. But for me, he is without a doubt the best right back in the world. That's why we didn't sign another right back."

"He starts almost every game. When he doesn't play, we have others. Good choice. If everyone says we need a right-back, then you have to spend a lot of money to buy a player who knows that he is only a substitute and can only play three games, and he will lose motivation because he cannot be better than Achraf."

■ Enrique has previously used Joao Neves and Emery as a right-back. He believes that Ashraf's substitute actually already exists in the team.

Enrique said: "We try to look at the problem in a different way, on the one hand making full use of Achraf, and on the other hand using other players from the youth training or the lineup to deal with it when he cannot play. I think this is the best way to keep the team competitive throughout the season."

■Unless it will be held in Morocco. The African Cup of Nations (December 21 to January 18) will have an impact on the result, otherwise the African Ballon d'Or will almost certainly belong to Achraf. He ranked sixth in the last Ballon d'Or and was selected for the ten-man shortlist just announced by the African Football Confederation. With another productive season, he has consolidated his status as one of the Paris captains.

Enrique said: "Achraf's status has not changed in the past two years. He is one of the leaders in the locker room and was elected as the second captain by his teammates, which illustrates his status and strength. As a player, he is the type that can change the game. He is good at both offense and defense and goes all out in almost every game. I am very happy to have him."

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