Idrissa Gueye: 'I progress every year'

Idrissa, you've been in Paris for a year-and-a-half now. How have you settled in?

"It's gone really well for me from the start. When I arrived, everyone welcomed me, especially Presnel Kimpembe and Abdou Diallo who immediately put me at ease and welcomed me into the squad. I get on very well with everyone. When I left France, I was 25, and around 30 when I came back. I saw the league had changed a lot. There were a lot more teams capable of challenging for the title. Football is a daily learning process, I progress every year."

You've scored two goals from long-range shots this season. Is that the fruit of hard work or pure instinct?

"It's something I've worked on during my career, but not a lot this year. It's something I could do when I was in England and when I started in France, but that I didn't use a lot. This year, I've worked on it a bit with a personal coach and it's worked."

We see your son wearing the shirt and celebrating the wins. How important is it for you that he's your biggest fan?

"That's what he said himself, 'Dad's biggest fan'. I have a lot of fun with him every morning, every day. I'm discovering a boy who's growing. I see how he's changing and it's really impressive. I get a little bit emotional when I talk about him, I have a very strong connection with him. It's something special. I'm proud when I see him with the shirt on every day, every morning, when I go to training. He thinks I'm going to play a game. He says to me, 'Dad, goal!' I tell him, 'It's not today, it's tomorrow.' On match days, he's even more excited. He runs around shouting before I go...he opens the door for me. He puts his shirt on all day and wants to put it on again the next day. So, he has all the different Paris shirts."

We've seen you take Édouard Michut and Xavi Simons under your wing. Is it important for you to have a good relationship with the young players?

"That's just how I am, I always feel comfortable with the youngsters, perhaps because I went through that when I arrived in Lille. I know that it's not easy to come in as a youngster. You're impressed by the pros and don't dare go up to them. That can hold you back in training, stop you from letting go of yourself, stop you taking your chance. I know what they feel when they come in. I'm there as a big brother to help them feel comfortable and give the best of themselves. I'm always there to talk to them, give them advice, have a laugh with them, calm the tension and make them feel a little more comfortable so that they can show the full extent of their talent."

You must have been proud when Michut made his debut...

"I was really proud. Each time I see a young player come onto the pitch, I'm happy. I know they have a lot of talent, but that they have to let themselves go more. They mustn't be afraid of us. I nearly missed out on my career because of that. When I came into the pros, I was very shy, I didn't really go into challenges and didn't do what needed to be done. On the other hand, when I played in the reserves, I let myself go completely. They're two very different worlds, and I know it's difficult to take that step. That's why I'm here to help them make it."