Mbappe gets UNWELCOME message from Ancelotti at Champions League final

Robin Bairner

• 1 Jun 2024 19:50 BST
• 3 min read

Real Madrid began their quest for a record-extending 15th Champions League title by giving fans a glimpse of what they can expect from the future, with Carlo Ancelotti dropping a not-so-subtle hint as to how Kylian Mbappe will play next season.

An already fearsome squad is set to be augmented by the arrival of Mbappe from PSG on a free transfer.

Although a deal has not yet been made official, it is expected that it will be concluded early next week.

READ MORE: Romano reveals when Real Madrid will announce Kylian Mbappe

STATS

Kylian Mbappé

F (CL), AM (L)

PSG

Kylian Mbappé

F (CL), AM (L)

PSG

All Tournaments

2023/24

• 47

  Games

• 44

  Goals

• 10

  Assists

View all stats

There has been much speculation over how Mbappe might fit into this Real Madrid team.

With Vinicius Junior cooking on the left, producing a campaign worthy of winning the Ballon d’Or, Mbappe may be denied his favoured role when he moves to the Bernabeu – at least at first.

READ MORE: The top five Ballon d'Or contenders for 2024

Mbappe through the middle

Ancelotti’s starting XI for the Champions League final certainly suggests it will pan out that way for the World Cup winner.

Real Madrid started the game without a recognised centre-forward. Instead, it was Jude Bellingham listed in the role, with Vini Jr taking his usual spot on the left and Rodygo featuring on the right.

Of course, there will be no need for all three players in this system next season.

Bellingham will be the player sacrificed from the forward line, with the England international set to drop into a deeper position in midfield. It is the one that he played at Borussia Dortmund, although Ancelotti will be eager to somehow retain the offensive impact he has made this season from a more withdrawn area.

Current ETV

Kylian Mbappé

F (CL), AM (L)

PSG

Kylian Mbappé

F (CL), AM (L)

PSG

€104.1M

ETV Range

€78.1M - €130.1M

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Mbappe, meanwhile, is the logical choice to slot into the No.9 position without shaking things up too significantly.

He will be the most experienced option in that area with the exception of Joselu, who will be signed permanently as a backup.

So will Real Madrid ever get to see Mbappe in his best role? Inevitably they will. Vini Jr will not be able to play every week, but if the PSG star is to operate there consistently, he will have to take these chances to force his way in.