Paris Saint-Germain defender Presnel Kimpembe has questioned whether the French champions are doing as much as they could to promote the most talented players from their youth academy.
Kimpembe, 21, has started six Ligue 1 matches so far this season and along with goalkeeper Alphonse Areola and midfielder Adrien Rabiot, the France under-21 international represents PSG's youth academy in the first team squad.
Kimpembe has lost his place in the starting XI since captain Thiago Silva's return from a hip injury and was not even named in the match squad for last Saturday's 2-0 win over Bordeaux -- playing for the reserves instead -- but the youngster was impressive during the Brazilian's absence.
Les Parisiens' highly rated third-choice centre-half hinted he does not agree with certain "choices" and suggested homegrown talents could be given "more of a push" from within.
"Honestly, I do not know too much [about the process behind youth promotion at PSG]," Kimpembe told Onze Mondial. "However, it may be that those who work with the younger players could give them more of a push. Let's skip this question."
Retrouvez-moi en interview dans Onze Mondial ����☝��️����☝��️ @OnzeMondial pic.twitter.com/PeeEFJ7U7p
- Presnel Kimpembe (@PresnelKimpembe) September 30, 2016
Kimpembe was particularly close with Kingsley Coman during the pair's formative years in Paris and was "affected" by his friend's departure in the summer of 2014.
The 20-year-old left France for Italy and Juventus before moving again one year later, this time to Germany with Bayern Munich, where he has been reunited with former PSG coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Kimpembe said it felt "strange" after Coman left and that his move outside of France was a particular surprise.
"Frankly, it affected me because he was 'my guy,' Kingsley!" Kimpembe said. "It was really weird [seeing him move away]. We had been together since we were very young. Seeing him leave did something to me, especially as he went abroad. It is not like he stayed in France!"
Kimpembe is currently in talks with PSG over a contract extension after his impressive start to life under new coach Unai Emery and his promotion to being the team's third choice central defender.
The player said in the same Onze Mondial interview he "considered" leaving but decided to stay after "speaking with my family, the coach and the staff."
Kimpembe added talks are "ongoing" and he is "not" open to a move elsewhere anytime soon because he can see himself at Parc des Princes "in 10 years' time, perhaps even my entire career."