Mbappe fumes at PSG - here's why:
Suraj Radia
- 10 Oct 2022 18:51 BST
- 4 min read
Kylian Mbappe is believed to be unhappy at Paris Saint-Germain after being used in a different role to the one he was previously promised, but manager Christophe Galtier has insisted he has no issues with his star man.
Mbappe has found himself featuring as a number nine for PSG despite allegedly being promised that he would play in his preferred wide role when he rejected Real Madrid in the summer to extend his contract with the Parisians.
The 23-year-old posted a picture to Instagram with the caption ‘#pitvotgang’, insinuating his frustration at supposedly being played in a hold-up role up front during PSG’s 0-0 draw against Reims.
However, Galtier refused to criticise Mbappe and admitted the club had let the Frenchman down by not signing the striker that they had promised him in the summer.
"It was a reaction in the heat of the moment, after a moment of disappointment,” Galtier said. “I spoke a lot with Kylian at the start of the season and I was very attentive to his comments when he was playing for France, saying that he felt better in Les Bleus’ attacking set-up.
“I don't know what was said to Kylian when he extended in May. We have often discussed with the president and Luis Campos to get a fourth striker, with a different profile, who would allow for two strikers and for Kylian to play as much as possible in his preferred area.
“Kylian sometimes finds himself in the middle and he gets the impression that he’s a pivot. But he’s a smart player who’s capable of adapting.”
“Kylian played while ill and tired, in a match which didn’t turn out well for us. I’m trying to reassure him by finding different options. We’re very mindful about his comments and his thinking because he’s a very important player for the team.”
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Mbappe frustrated with lack of ‘freedom’
PSG are still unbeaten despite failing to score for the first time this season, although Mbappe has netted just three times in his last eight games in all competitions while playing up front.
One of those goals came for France and Mbappe spoke about his role while away on international duty, telling the media that he had more ‘freedom’ with his country and with his club.
Is Mbappe already regretting his decision to spurn Real Madrid?https://t.co/7vir2s5aMc
— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) October 9, 2022
"Different things are asked of me here than at club level. I have a lot of freedom here," Mbappe said.
"The coach knows that there is a No.9 like Olivier [Giroud] who takes care of the defense and I can look for spaces, ask for balls. In Paris that doesn't happen, they ask me to play as a pivot, it's different," Mbappe said last month.
Mbappe has been moved centrally from his favoured left-wing role to accommodate Neymar, a switch which may have caused tension, with both players rumoured to have a frosty relationship.
