During the second half of the 2024-25 season, Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique decided to start the midfield trio of Joao Neves, Vitinha, and Fabian Ruiz in the team's biggest matches. That strategy could change this season.

In the second half of PSG's historic 2024-25 campaign, Enrique deployed a midfield trio of Neves, Vitinha, and Ruiz. Their impressive performances made them a strong contender for the best midfield in the world. However, since the start of the 2025-26 season, the three players have rarely featured together because of injuries to Neves and Ruiz.

In their absence, Warren Zaire-Emery appears to have rediscovered his best form, while Senny Mayulu continues his rapid development. When the Portuguese and Spanish internationals return, the PSG coach will face a selection dilemma in midfield, with further options including Desire Doue and Kang-In Lee.

According to Le Parisien, if their fitness tests are positive early this week, Neves and Ruiz could return for Wednesday's match at Lorient, or at the latest for Saturday's game against Nice.

This double boost will increase competition in a midfield where Zaïre-Emery has recently established himself. The PSG No. 33 has now started seven consecutive matches and is coming off highly accomplished performances against Strasbourg, Leverkusen, and Brest, where he was at his best.

This return to form follows several weeks of work behind the scenes and a period of self-reflection that began during his return to the French Under-21 team as captain three weeks ago, the newspaper noted.

"Inevitably, his return to prominence raises the question of his role for the clash against Bayern Munich on Nov. 4 at the Parc des Princes," Le Parisien reported. "The most enticing fixture of the early season, pitting two of the continent's best teams against each other, will be a physical battle."

Zaire-Emery is once again a legitimate candidate to start in such matches. Seeing him in the starting lineup against the German side would not be entirely surprising, especially as he now has more match fitness than Neves and Ruiz, even if the latter two are expected to get minutes this week.

Beyond the case of Zaire-Emery, the start of the season has also allowed Mayulu to gain experience and improve considerably. While used more as a false nine in recent weeks, the No. 24 is a natural midfielder, endowed with a real understanding of the position - mobility, technical finesse - making him a credible alternative, the report said.

Kang-In Lee, meanwhile, seems a step behind the competition. In a more offensive setup, the Parisian coach has also shown he is willing to use Doue in the three-man midfield. This option could cause a slight lack of balance, but it adds a significant dose of creativity.

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