SOCCER
French soccer legend picks Jude Bellingham over Kylian Mbappé
World Cup-winning defender Frank LeBoeuf criticised his compatriot’s unwillingness to work for his team off the ball.
Frank LeBoeuf has paid tribute to Jude Bellingham, choosing the England midfielder ahead of Kylian Mbappé in a conversation with ESPN.
The French defender was asked which of Bellingham, Mbappé and Erling Haaland he would most like in his team. Surprisingly, LeBoeuf opted against his compatriot and picked the England midfielder.
“I would say Jude Bellingham, for one reason,” LeBoeuf explained. “He plays as a midfielder and is useful in many ways; defensively, offensively, organising the game, leading his teammates.
“He does all that so beautifully I have to pick Bellingham.”
On Friday night Mbappé took his international tally to 42 goals with a brace against the Netherlands. The 24-year-old is now the captain of the French national team but LeBoeuf questioned Mbappé's work rate.
Leboeuf, who won the 1998 World Cup with France, said: “The problem with Kylian Mbappe is that when he loses the ball he makes no effort to get the ball back. He gives up, he doesn’t respect his teammates and that I don’t like.”
Paris Saint-Germain look to bounce back after poor start
This season was heralded as a fresh start for a PSG side who appeared to have gone backwards in recent years. Older stars Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr and Marco Verratti were all allowed to leave the club, with a new emphasise placed on young, hungry players.
However PSG have not had a smooth start to the season under new coach Luis Enrique. The reigning French champions are in third place after winning just four of their opening eight matches.
In Europe they secured a 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund but were then comfortably beaten by Newcastle United. An attack-minded PSG team was easily pulled apart by the Premier League side and former England star Rio Ferdinand questioned the attitude of the French side.
“At one point they gave the ball away three times in 20 seconds,” Ferdinand said. “They had really bad starts to each half and ended up getting punished.”
“Slack, lazy, lack of concentration, focus – all of the above. It’s the opposite when you look at the Newcastle team, who were truly focused, concentrating, dynamic, aggressive.”
PSG managed to retain Mbappe’s services last summer but, with talk of a move to Real Madrid never far away, Luis Enrique is under pressure to get the best out of the 24-year-old this season.