It hasn’t been an easy tournament for Kylian Mbappé (25). The France captain came into Euro 2024 lacking fitness, by his own admission, and he repeated the claim ahead of the quarter-final victory over Portugal. “No, I don’t think I have my legs fully. I think I need a good pre-season to be at 100%,” said Real Madrid’s new forward.
Having to wear a mask has not helped matters either. Mbappé has described wearing it as an “absolute horror”, with his peripheral vision severely hindered. Contending with both issues, the forward has struggled to display his usual form, scoring just once, from the spot.
It is for that reason that former France international Frank Leboeuf has called on Didier Deschamps to drop his captain and replace him with Bradley Barcola (21). “If we look at the individuals – I think there is a real Kylian Mbappé problem,” began the 1998 World Champion in an exclusive interview with Get French Football News. “If you are injured and you can’t play at 100%, you can only play at 50%, then you shouldn’t play. For me, you’re not serving France well and you’re not serving yourself well, because you’re criticised, you can’t play to your best level. I can’t see the use in playing Mbappe at 50% – I think that Bradley Barcola would do better.“
It seems unlikely that Leboeuf’s advice will be heeded by Deschamps, who looks set to start Mbappé against Spain in the semi-finals of Euro 2024 on Tuesday.
Lebeouf was speaking to Get French Football News in association with BoyleSports, who offer the latest Euro 2024 Betting.
GFFN | Jeremy Smith x Luke Entwistle
Macaklortu
1
zoomaali meesha may igu zugayzaa
Yumbcnrstu
0
Mbape at 50 percent is better than the rest of the strikers. Dembele is dribbling everyone then shooting the airplanes.
Man001
2
This Leboeuf guy is crazy. I remember his name. He is the same guy who was so against Messi the time he was at Psg. Dropping Mbappe? Not a good idea. Ok, maybe start him from the bench. Or start him then if his game is not okay then sub him off. The beauty with these top players they draw a lot of attention from the opposition even if they are off form.
lueeikmtuy
0
frank is mad, how can you bench your Star 🌟 man, even mbappe is not playing up to expectation, only the name is an impact
Buhclmpst
0
play mbappe & barcoli . bring greizmann off the bench
Femzy1991
0
Excuses excuses the lad is overrated
Do u have a brain to think?
Janelnptu
0
lol Frank is right Mbappe isn't in his best form atm and he's going in the big boy league
GregMiller
1
Excuses excuses the lad is overrated
Jibepruy
3
40% fit Mbappe is better than 100% fit Barcola