The former PSG forward put in an ineffective performance against Italy, which has led to more debate about his form and positioning.
Since the start of the season, there has been constant talk, and a plenty of concern, in France surrounding Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé, who has had a mixed start with the LaLiga giants.
All eyes have again been on the performances of the national team captain during the September international break. However, the 25-year-old put in a disappointing performance in the 3-1 home defeat to Italy on Friday, which has led to more debate about what his best position on the pitch is.
PSG, France and Real Madrid’s Mbappé problem
Since the start of the year, Mbappé has mainly played as a centre forward. Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique was the first to move him in from the left wing in an attempt to give Bradley Barcola a chance to shine out wide.
France manager Didier Deschamps followed suit at Euro 2024, in which Mbappé scored just once, a penalty. Now Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is having to deal with the same ‘problem,’ as Vinícius Júnior has long since established himself as a world-class left winger.
Is Mbappé's skill set best suited to playing as a central attacker and the most advanced player in the team? He isn’t especially strong in the air, is always on the move, which doesn’t always make him an easy target to play to, and he isn’t a typical penalty-box striker. Against Italy on Friday, he constantly drifted cross the front line, more evidence he doesn’t feel comfortable playing as a central target.
Deschamps was asked to clarify Mbappé's positioning for France in a recent interview with Telefoot: “He is a striker who can play in a central position that suits him with a lot of freedom. But if you expect Kylian to be a fixed target man...he’s not that”.
The France coach may have explained the theory for both club and country, but putting it into practice is proving rather more complicated.
Mbappé unhappy with central role
Although Mbappé said just last week that he was capable of playing in all three attacking positions, he has revealed in the past he isn’t especially keen on starting centrally.
While at PSG, he complained about playing as a ‘No. 9,′ with an Instagram post including the hashtag #PivotGang interpreted by the French media as Mbappé being unhappy about his role as a lone striker. He also asked the club to sign a target man he could play off when he extended his contract in 2022.
With the national team, he gave an interview explaining he felt “more comfortable” playing in attack alongside Olivier Giroud because it gave him more space to work in.
However, it appears as if Deschamps will continue to play Mbappé centrally, particularly after Barcola scored and generally impressed against Italy. With Giroud no longer on the France roster, Marcus Thuram is the most obvious other centre forward, a position he plays in for Inter Milan alongside Lautaro Martínez, with whom he has struck up an excellent partnership.
Will Kylian Mbappé play for France against Belgium in the Nations League?
Mbappé could be rested for Monday’s match between France and Belgium on the second matchday of the UEFA Nations League. Due to the demanding fixture schedule, with matches being played practically every three days, L’Équipe has reported Deschamps is considering leaving his captain on the bench. Thuram would be the man most likely to replace him.
Real Madrid tried to stop Mbappé from going on international duty this month, but their request was ignored by the French Football Federation.
While Aurélien Tchouaméni and Ferland Mendy didn’t join up with the France squad due to injury, the former PSG started and played the full 90 minutes versus Italy on Friday. Depending on how the match against Belgium goes, Mbappé could get some game time in the second half.
Dante101
0
No Sense🤧🤮💔🤦♂️
🤔 i make dollars dont need sense when i spit facts 😎 learn this full
hurlla
0
Yet You’re Writing Long Thesis Explaining Yourself😭😭😂
[image]
if am in pain you are in pain too🤡🤡
GaddafiJamal
0
who u fuckin saying shut up to u blodclat jackass. if u just start watching the game then go search up mbappe strts as CF,LF & RF and compare it after.
No Sense🤧🤮💔🤦♂️
GaddafiJamal
0
Have you been watching the back of your television?
You Started Watching Football 2017, That’s Why You Think Mbappe Is A Winger😭😭😂
GaddafiJamal
0
if you are happy🤡🤡 am happy too
Yet You’re Writing Long Thesis Explaining Yourself😭😭😂
hurlla
0
Anything To Make Yourself Happy🤡😂😂
if you are happy🤡🤡 am happy too
omochris
0
They’re Not Converting Sh*t, Mbappe Is A Striker & Has Always Been 🤦♂️💔
Have you been watching the back of your television?
Dante101
0
Sh*t Up, When Did You Start Watching Mbappe Kiddo? 🙄
who u fuckin saying shut up to u blodclat jackass. if u just start watching the game then go search up mbappe strts as CF,LF & RF and compare it after.
GaddafiJamal
0
to some people who can't afford it... yea try and understand what he meant before criticising... portugal as a nation wining euros is almost like wining a world Cup... he doesn't mean euros is bigger than world Cup.... Messi world Cup achievement is still the best... but Argentina are more synonymous to the world Cup than portugal... I think 2 or 3 times world Cup winners to a country that hardly gets to a semifinal of a tournament
Anything To Make Yourself Happy🤡😂😂
GaddafiJamal
0
his not a CF and thats the problem both France and madrid should accept. for france mauni is the giroud replacement and for madrid they will have to play him on the right no choice and bellingham, Endrick or cameravinga as CF until madrid buys Haaland. France lineups and madrid lineups
[image]
Sh*t Up, When Did You Start Watching Mbappe Kiddo? 🙄
GaddafiJamal
0
Transforming from a winger to a centre forward isn't an easy task. He will adapt with time!
They’re Not Converting Sh*t, Mbappe Is A Striker & Has Always Been 🤦♂️💔
GaddafiJamal
0
Vini can play Benzema role so Mbappe can switch to left wing @ RM because Mbappe is not a natural no.9
Sh*t Up, When Did You Start Watching Mbappe? 🤦♂️😂
spartadon12345
0
have u seen Mbappe and vini stats compared to Rodrigo goes bruv. shut the fuck up and watch facts b4 u come talk bout team chemistry. Mbappe and vini can play on he wings with more effect than flukes king rodrygo. Madrid needs goals and with Mbappe and vini attarcking on the wings with endrick or bellingham or cameravinga in CF equals goals gallore.
shut the fuck up dumbass vini stats is poor asf and isn't he currently playing wing so why can't he score clown and the fact that you said camavinga cf shows the ball knowledge
Dante101
0
bro thinks that's gow it goes rodrygo has done far more for Madrid than mbapoe you think they gonna give him rodrygo spot nah mbappe literally switch from rw to lw at psg because he hardly scored at rw what's makes you think he's gonna want to play there again
have u seen Mbappe and vini stats compared to Rodrigo goes bruv. shut the fuck up and watch facts b4 u come talk bout team chemistry. Mbappe and vini can play on he wings with more effect than flukes king rodrygo. Madrid needs goals and with Mbappe and vini attarcking on the wings with endrick or bellingham or cameravinga in CF equals goals gallore.
spartadon12345
0
mbappe could take Rodrigo spot like takeing candy from a baby bruh the dude scored 34 goals as a winger how much Rodrigo does score again barely 17 so its inevitable mbappe gon b a winger again and vini is as prolific as a winger so RW for Mbappe.
bro thinks that's gow it goes rodrygo has done far more for Madrid than mbapoe you think they gonna give him rodrygo spot nah mbappe literally switch from rw to lw at psg because he hardly scored at rw what's makes you think he's gonna want to play there again
Dante101
0
where does rodrygo go? it doesn't work like that better learn bmto play st because he ain't getting rodrygo spot
mbappe could take Rodrigo spot like takeing candy from a baby bruh the dude scored 34 goals as a winger how much Rodrigo does score again barely 17 so its inevitable mbappe gon b a winger again and vini is as prolific as a winger so RW for Mbappe.
ziwbekoptz
0
Vini can play Benzema role so Mbappe can switch to left wing @ RM because Mbappe is not a natural no.9
coteknos
2
The problem Mbappe has at RM is that he would be a reserve behind Vini. Vini can dribble than any player. Mbappe can run after the ball like a track star but that only works for a less sophisticated follow the ball French farmers league. La Liga is tough
voebeipsuy
0
I knew it
You gayyyyy
papabrains
0
Transforming from a winger to a centre forward isn't an easy task. He will adapt with time!
sure !
Feeacenotz
2
slm
spartadon12345
0
his not a CF and thats the problem both France and madrid should accept. for france mauni is the giroud replacement and for madrid they will have to play him on the right no choice and bellingham, Endrick or cameravinga as CF until madrid buys Haaland. France lineups and madrid lineups
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where does rodrygo go? it doesn't work like that better learn bmto play st because he ain't getting rodrygo spot
ruhbilopty
4
La Liga they. don’t play kick and run football that is the main problem with Mbappé let him go back to Paris
wukblmn
0
Transforming from a winger to a centre forward isn't an easy task. He will adapt with time!
He needs lecture from cr7
pudabcdert
0
IPhone 6 is equivalent to IPhone 15
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tanks to fifa and they dogs referee's Portugal never get to the final,only if you're blind you don't see
omochris
3
Transforming from a winger to a centre forward isn't an easy task. He will adapt with time!
omochris
1
Transforming from a winger to a centre forward isn't an easy task. He will adapt with time.
hurlla
0
IPhone 6 is equivalent to IPhone 15
[image]
if Argentina doesn't get to a tournament knockout round that's a disaster for them... but portugal not reaching the next round is a disaster for Ronaldo not portugal as a nation
hurlla
0
IPhone 6 is equivalent to IPhone 15
[image]
to some people who can't afford it... yea try and understand what he meant before criticising... portugal as a nation wining euros is almost like wining a world Cup... he doesn't mean euros is bigger than world Cup.... Messi world Cup achievement is still the best... but Argentina are more synonymous to the world Cup than portugal... I think 2 or 3 times world Cup winners to a country that hardly gets to a semifinal of a tournament
Dante101
0
his not a CF and thats the problem both France and madrid should accept. for france mauni is the giroud replacement and for madrid they will have to play him on the right no choice and bellingham, Endrick or cameravinga as CF until madrid buys Haaland. France lineups and madrid lineups
cancnpuyz
0
kylian mbappe is 💎
cancnpuyz
0
Kylian mbappe suuuuuu
cancnpuyz
0
Suuuuuuuuuuu
kadabmrsty
2
when he sign real Madrid he knows exactly u can't move vin junior in left wing he knew his goin to be in other position cuz in left winger vin is the best left winger in the world right now so is up to him to fix and central forward is not easy position
Shmonny
5
IPhone 6 is equivalent to IPhone 15
ttttttttttuser
0
Useless news
cacali1
5
Even in France, Kylian is playing as Attacker,. so what exactly the media want paint or create between Real Madrid, Vinicius, Mbappe and Madridistas?
Pebbekmoyz
2
I knew it