From dead man walking to centre stage: Zabarnyi's unlikely PSG turnaround makes it harder for Fulham, Chelsea and Crystal Palace now: "I am learning French..."

Exclusive by Alessandro Schiavone in Paris

Ligue 1

PSG 2-0 Lyon

Goals: Mayulu 72', Godts 84'

How can anyone go from being one of the Premier League’s top-performing centre-backs to a Ligue 1 struggler?

This is the baffling case of ex-Bournemouth star Illia Zabarnyi, who was once on Chelsea and Tottenham’s wishlist.

Luis Enrique had as much faith in him as Mikel Arteta currently has in Viktor Gyokeres.

And the lack of playing time in big matches was a reflection of that. The Ukrainian star was left out of PSG’s starting XI in each of the knockout rounds as the club marched towards a second Champions League in a row, progressing past Monaco, Chelsea, Liverpool, Bayern and Arsenal.

That meant IZ might have won Ol’ Big Ears, but his contribution was minimal to non-existent. He was limited to regular football in Ligue 1 though where his displays barely had the chance to catch the eye with Paris utterly dominant.

The writing seemed to be on the wall as Luis Enrique preferred the tried-and-trusted Marquinhos, 33, alongside Pacho at the expense of the £51m man who snubbed the Blues for the Eiffel Tower.

For PSG, the £51m outlay looked like a relatively safe punt. The player was highly rated across the English Channel for his heroics with Andoni Iraola’s Cherries in 2024/25.

A mainstay of Bournemouth's famous quartet including Kerkez, Huijsen and Smith, all of whom except for the Englishman departed with him, expectations were high upon his arrival.

And should things go wrong, they could always recoup a big chunk, if not more, by selling him back to the Premier League, where his reputation remained sky-high. That was the thinking behind closed doors.

Yet despite a poor personal highlights reel summing up his 2025/26 campaign, Zabarnyi refused to treat criticism and rejection as a verdict on his worth.

In a nutshell, he refused to throw in the towel.

And on the evidence of his incredible turnaround, it is unclear whether PSG are still looking to cash in on him, as was reportedly the case in the summer, with Liverpool eager.

This term Zabarnyi has been a revelation and is looking like new signing for Luis Enrique’s side.

After having to make do with a place on the bench for the serial winners’ opening five games, he has been an ever-present of late as PSG recorded a 100% winning record with him in the side. Five games, five wins. And he even got off the mark in the 3-1 win at Chelsea's sister club Strasbourg 10 days ago.

And with Capital Football in attendance at Parc des Princes, Zabarnyi shone in his side's 2-0 win over Lyon.

Cool, calm and collected, he showed that he has lost none of his strength in duels, threat from set-pieces or ability to contribute with the ball at his feet for such a towering bloke.

Flanked by fellow colossus Pacho, the 24-year-old didn’t put a foot wrong as substitutes Mayulu and Godts scored bangers from distance. He pressed opponents high up the pitch and played with confidence. And even came to the rescue twice by neutralising Duranville and Nartey.

Helped by the fact that Lyon were playing without a recognised number nine, with crocked Openda on the treatment table, he made another case for why Lucho should trust him in Champions League games after a promising introduction in the 4-2 win over Barca last week.

That was a far cry from the shocking performance in the 7-2 win at Bayer Leverkusen a year almost to the day when he gave away two penalties and was subsequently sent off.

Some thought he had signed his own death warrant at BayArena. Hurting and humiliated, Zabarnyi battled back in silence.

When asked by Capital Football if he had recaptured his old form, he said: “I feel I am in this level for sure, already.

“But I need to get more because I want more for myself… it’s just a matter of time! I feel very comfortable and things are going well.

“I just need to speak in French, I hope soon, and I am taking lessons. It’s difficult for me but I hope to get there.”

Zabarnyi flipped his own script and, if anyone wants him now, it will take much more than the £51m Paris splashed out on him.

Aside from Arsenal, the other London clubs, not least Crystal Palace, Spurs and Chelsea, could all do with his tackling, aerial dominance, aggression, long passing and ball carrying.

Zabarnyi looks born to play in the Premier League and the lure of the world's best league might be too strong to resist. A decade ago, David Luiz headed back to Chelsea after only two years. But there's still plenty of time ahead for him to do that.

And it is unclear whether Paris would still sanction his departure so easily with club captain Marquinhos increasingly on the wrong side of 30.

The fact he's learning the language from La République might be yet another indicator that he sees himself in the French capital and not in London long-term.