Will Still has always known Hugo Ekitike was a handful. The young French striker made his name at Reims under Still’s watch before sealing a £50 million move to Paris Saint-Germain. But even Still couldn’t help laughing at the predictability of their latest encounter.
“He’s a funny lad,” Still said after the match. “We caught up before the game, and he said he’d come on and score and then give me a shirt and bugger off — which is exactly what he’s done.”
That blend of confidence and cheek has always defined Ekitike. At Reims, he burst onto the scene with pace, power, and an instinct for goals that belied his age. His performances quickly caught the eye of Europe’s elite, with PSG eventually winning the race for his signature.
“Fair play to him,” Still added. “We sold him to PSG for £50m, so we knew he had a bit about him — and he’d already scored plenty for us. He’s a constant threat, and incredibly annoying to play against.”
Ekitike has often been seen as one of PSG’s long-term projects — raw but brimming with potential. His time in Paris has not been without challenges, competing with superstars while adapting to the weight of expectation. Yet moments like this underline why PSG were willing to pay such a significant fee: he delivers, often with a touch of swagger.
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For Still, the striker’s evolution is a source of pride as much as frustration. Watching a former protégé score against you can sting, but it also highlights the role Reims played in shaping one of France’s brightest young forwards.
“He’s always been like that,” Still reflected. “Full of confidence, a bit cheeky, but that’s what makes him who he is. He backs it up on the pitch.”
Ekitike’s story is still being written, but one thing is clear: whether at Reims, PSG, or beyond, he has the tools to leave his mark. And for Will Still, the reminder was all too familiar — you can never quite keep Hugo Ekitike quiet.