Disastrous PSG transfers prove Mbappe is more important than ever

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 12 Jan 2024 19:41 GMT
• 4 min read

Kylian Mbappe is Paris Saint-Germain’s crown jewel and the summer exits of Neymar and Lionel Messi enhanced that fact further.

However, Luis Enrique’s recent team selections prove that the Parisians simply cannot afford to let the Frenchman leave this summer.

Mbappe is currently set to become a free agent when his PSG contract expires in July and he has previously revealed that he has no intention of signing a new contract at the Parc des Princes.

In fact, many expected Mbappe to leave the club last summer after he was banished from first-team training following his refusal to sign a fresh deal.

However, the France star soon returned to action and has once again been PSG’s best player so far this season.

Real Madrid remain keen on landing him, although FootballTransfers understand that certain members of Los Blancos’ board believe that signing Napoli striker Victor Osimhen may be a better idea than bringing in Mbappe.

Despite that, links with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu remain rife, although PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi believes that Mbappe could well extend his stay at the Parc des Princes this summer.

His wages may be eye-watering, but PSG simply cannot afford to lose Mbappe due to the recent decisions made by head coach Enrique.

Why PSG can’t let Kylian Mbappe join Real Madrid

Despite the presence of summer signings Randal Kolo Muani and Goncalo Ramos, Enrique has deployed Mbappe as a central striker in recent weeks.

In the Trophee des Champions final win over Toulouse on 3 January, for example, Mbappe started through the middle and Enrique opted to deploy a wing duo of Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola.

Eight of Mbappe's last nine Ligue 1 appearances have come as a central striker, while Kolo Muani (four) and Ramos (eight) have amassed just 12 league starts between them this season.

According to L’Equipe (via Get French Football News), Enrique held doubts over whether either player would suit his style of football, but he still gave his blessing for PSG to sign both stars regardless.

He may now regret that decision, especially considering the fact Kolo Muani cost €90 million and Ramos’ obligation to buy clause stands at a whopping €80m.

Enrique clearly doesn’t rate either player too highly and it looks as though a front three of Dembele, Mbappe and Barcola may be his favourite as things stand.

A post-Mbappe world at PSG would therefore be disastrous given Kolo Muani and Ramos haven’t justified their lofty price tags so far.

The former has just five goals in 18 Ligue 1 and Champions League appearances this season, while the latter has only scored three times in the same number of games.

It goes without saying that Mbappe is a crucial player for PSG, but their attack is doomed if he leaves, despite the vast amount spent last summer.