It was true that French Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe (24) had the authority to decide the position he could play. Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique acknowledged this himself. According to the British Daily Mail on the 19th (Korea time), Coach Enrique said, “Mbappe will play where he decides.” “Umpape has complete freedom to play freely. He has the freedom to play inside and outside,” he said, adding, “When we change positions, there is a difference whether he will play as a striker inside or outside.”
The question on his position started with a match against Lille on the 18th. Paris Saint-Germain tied with Lille 1-1 on the day, failing to secure its ninth consecutive win in the league. Coach Enrique, who does not use fixed formations this season, opted for a 3-4-2-1 formation. With Mbappe at the forefront, Bradley Barcola and Usman Dembele supported him. It was a very different format from the 4-3-3 formation and the 4-2-2-2 formation that were often used in the past. However, Paris Saint-Germain failed to attack Lille’s defense in the match. The total number of shots fired in the match was 10-15, and the expected score was 1.4-1.42 compared to Lille’s. According to soccer statistics firm Foot Mob, the team also had only one critical scoring opportunity, which was lower than Lille’s, who recorded the third inning.
Mbappe, who played as a front-line striker, failed to penetrate Lille’s intensive defense. He attempted four shots but blocked three, and attempted two of them outside the penalty box. He only scored one goal through penalty kick in the 66th minute of the second half. When asked why he used Mbappe as a front-line striker after the match with Lille, Enrique replied, “Mbappe plays where he decides to play.” Some say that Enrique indirectly revealed that he cannot control Mbappe.
Mbappe is a star who is sought after as the next generation soccer emperor to succeed Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, but he has been criticized by some French media for his excessive influence within his team. In an away match against Stade Reims in the 12th round last month, Mbappe led the team win 3-0 with a hat trick. However, Enrique criticized Mbappe instead of praising him. “I am not satisfied with what Mbappe did. I have nothing to say about the goal, but Mbappe could have helped the team in a different way. First, I will have a conversation with Mbappe about this part.” “Mbappe is one of the best players in the world, but we want more. I hope Mbappe can do more.”
In response, French media L’Equipe said, “Some of my Paris Saint-Germain teammates think that Mbappe is playing for himself more than anything else.” Mbappe scored 13 Ligue 1 goals with a hat-trick against Reims. Mbappe is shining individually, but the performance of the top-ranked Paris Saint-Germain team is somewhat sluggish. One of them is against AC Milan (Italy) in the Champions League on the 8th.” Paris Saint-Germain knelt 1-2 to AC Milan at the time.
Not only that, but there was also a buzz ahead of this season. When he refused to renew his contract with a year left in his contract, Paris Saint-Germain pushed for a transfer, but Mbappe countered that he would move to the FA. Le Parisien explained in a report in July, “Paris Saint-Germain are trying to kick Mbappe out of the Parc des Princes by all means that can ruin his life.” Paris Saint-Germain clearly expressed their intention to break up with Mbappe by excluding him from the first-team training, but returned him to the first-team squad by finding an agreement with Mbappe ahead of the season. 스포츠토토
Enrique’s remarks that Mbappe had a position option could have offended Mbappe, but Enrique drew the line that there was no rumor of discord being raised by some. When asked how he had been with Mbappe at a press conference ahead of the game against the Mets, Enrique replied, “As always, the perfect relationship.”
“We’re not a couple. The reason is that we don’t want to be a couple,” he joked. “I don’t know why I keep getting asked this question. I’m very close to most of the players. Mbappe always jokes and laughs.” “25 is too young,” he said of Mbappe, who will celebrate his 25th birthday on the 25th. “I hope he continues to have more success in Paris Saint-Germain and we want to help him. Mbappe is fantastic. We’re lucky to have him.”
