Explosive Mbappe revelation transforms future of PSG striker

Robin Bairner

• 31 Jan 2024 10:28 GMT
• 3 min read

Revelations made over Kylian Mbappe’s relationship with PSG head coach Luis Enrique have given Real Madrid new impetus in their hopes of landing the France international striker.

Mbappe is out of contract at the end of the season, and according to reports is discontent with the role that he has been asked to play under the former Barcelona boss.

The 25-year-old has 19 goals in 18 Ligue 1 matches and 28 in 27 overall, but his body language in the 2-2 draw against Brest at the weekend, when he scored 6.6 on FootballCritic, was poor.

Speaking to RMC, journalist Daniel Riolo has explained what.

“Contrary to what we might think, Mbappe does not like playing as a No.9,” Riolo explained. “As he is in his last year at PSG, he’s not going to complain. He knows he’s going to leave, so he lets it go.

“Obviously he doesn’t like this position that Luis Enrique wants to give him. That Enrique does it is his choice as a coach, but after that he never wants to explain anything and he despises those who has him questions. I find his attitude abnormal, contemptuous and selfish.

“What he’s decided to do with Mbappe will cause his departure.”

Real Madrid question

Real Madrid will, of course, be taking note of Mbappe’s situation as the club that most covets the forward, yet the 25-year-old’s insistence on playing on the left wing promises to pose an issue at the Bernabeu too.

Vini Jr has made that role his own in recent seasons while it is clear that Los Blancos are in the market for a centre-forward – a role that Mbappe, evidently, does not want to play.

So do Real Madrid risk offloading the Brazilian, who has been linked with Manchester United, by moving for Mbappe, or can both be accommodated in the same team?