Tue Apr 01 18:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Dunkerque Defender Georgen Faces PSG in Cup Semi-Final, Reflects on PSG Academy Journey

**DUNKERQUE, FRANCE** – Alec Georgen, a 26-year-old Dunkerque defender and new father, is set to face his former club, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), in a Coupe de France semi-final on Tuesday. The match holds special significance for Georgen, a product of the PSG academy who spent eight years with the club before leaving in 2019 for Avranches.

Despite his time training alongside stars like Neymar and Mbappé and winning the UEFA European Under-17 Championship at 16, Georgen made only one senior appearance for PSG. He attributes this to a lack of opportunity and a confusing youth development system. While admitting to initial disappointment, he expresses no regrets, stating that his experience playing at lower levels honed his skills and prepared him for a potential future in Ligue 1. He credits his time training with players like Ibrahimovic and Maxwell for accelerating his development.

Now a key player for Dunkerque, considered one of Ligue 2’s best right-backs, and with the club vying for promotion, Georgen views his unconventional path as a strength. He believes that the experience gained playing at lower levels has made him a more complete player, ready for the demands of Ligue 1 should Dunkerque secure promotion.

Georgen also commented on the current PSG team, expressing initial disappointment with the club’s previous strategies but praising Luis Enrique’s focus on building a strong collective, rather than relying solely on star power. He noted similarities between Enrique’s tactical approach and that of his current Dunkerque coach, Luis Castro, both emphasizing possession-based football and high pressing. He is under contract with Dunkerque until 2026 and hopes to continue his growth with the club, aiming for a Ligue 1 spot in France or abroad in the medium term. Dunkerque’s ambitious project, backed by a new investor, aligns with his own aspirations, making a potential promotion a win-win scenario.

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