Kylian Mbappe remains the star name in the Real Madrid side but the Frenchman is willing to embrace a new defensive philosophy which places more demands on him
Kylian Mbappe insists he will "do what the boss asks me to do" as the Real Madrid star underlined his willingness to put the team first. The Frenchman was on target as Los Blancos claimed Champions League victory on Tuesday.
His goal in the win over Marseille means he's now found the net six times already this season, but his determination to deliver trophies to the Spanish capital was underlined by his desire to work off the ball. Mbappe has often been regarded as a luxury player, not one who will cover huge miles out of possession.
Xabi Alonso has come in as manager and is looking to bring in a high press, which requires every player to buy in. Mbappe, despite his status, claimed he didn't see himself above any of his teammates and would do whatever the new man in the dugout asked of him.
He told Movistar: "I feel really good. I don't think about being one of the team's leaders, I think about being myself, Kylian, I think about the team. Xabi wants us to win the ball back more quickly. We have to understand what we do, and then we're determined to do it, because we want to win.
"I do what the boss asks me to do. He wants a high block, to win the ball high up, and then we can create chances. We'll get used to it and it will help the team win trophies. I want to help the team, if it's scoring goals, pressing or assists."
Mbappe has copped criticism from French icon Thierry Henry and PSG boss Luis Enrique in the past for not always working hard enough off the ball. Now it looks as if the World Cup winner is more than willing to change his approach.
Thibaut Courtois insisted that the team suffers if everyone doesn't embrace the defensive system employed with the Belgian admitting Alonso is hot on the likes of Mbappe and Viniciur Jnr doing their bit high up the pitch.
He said: "The problem is when you don't defend with eleven, with the whole team. The boss now is really on top of the wingers, and Kylian, and the attacking midfielders like Arda [Güler] for example. They have to get back quickly behind the ball, and that changes a lot, that's the difference. We have to keep doing that."
The 26-year-old scored his 50th goal for Real against Marseille, which has come in just 64 games, but unlike a lot of his teammates, he is yet to taste Champions League success. He left PSG just as they finally conquered Europe.