Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé giving France huge cause for concern

Since the start of the season, there has been constant talk, and a plenty of concern, in France surrounding Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé, who has had a mixed start with the LaLiga giants.

All eyes have again been on the performances of the national team captain during the September international break. However, the 25-year-old put in a disappointing performance in the 3-1 home defeat to Italy on Friday, which has led to more debate about what his best position on the pitch is.

PSG, France and Real Madrid’s Mbappé problem

Since the start of the year, Mbappé has mainly played as a centre forward. Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique was the first to move him in from the left wing in an attempt to give Bradley Barcola a chance to shine out wide.

France manager Didier Deschamps followed suit at Euro 2024, in which Mbappé scored just once, a penalty. Now Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is having to deal with the same ‘problem,’ as Vinícius Júnior has long since established himself as a world-class left winger.

Is Mbappé's skill set best suited to playing as a central attacker and the most advanced player in the team? He isn’t especially strong in the air, is always on the move, which doesn’t always make him an easy target to play to, and he isn’t a typical penalty-box striker. Against Italy on Friday, he constantly drifted cross the front line, more evidence he doesn’t feel comfortable playing as a central target.

Deschamps was asked to clarify Mbappé's positioning for France in a recent interview with Telefoot: “He is a striker who can play in a central position that suits him with a lot of freedom. But if you expect Kylian to be a fixed target man...he’s not that”.

The France coach may have explained the theory for both club and country, but putting it into practice is proving rather more complicated.

Mbappé unhappy with central role

Although Mbappé said just last week that he was capable of playing in all three attacking positions, he has revealed in the past he isn’t especially keen on starting centrally.

While at PSG, he complained about playing as a ‘No. 9,′ with an Instagram post including the hashtag #PivotGang interpreted by the French media as Mbappé being unhappy about his role as a lone striker. He also asked the club to sign a target man he could play off when he extended his contract in 2022.

With the national team, he gave an interview explaining he felt “more comfortable” playing in attack alongside Olivier Giroud because it gave him more space to work in.

However, it appears as if Deschamps will continue to play Mbappé centrally, particularly after Barcola scored and generally impressed against Italy. With Giroud no longer on the France roster, Marcus Thuram is the most obvious other centre forward, a position he plays in for Inter Milan alongside Lautaro Martínez, with whom he has struck up an excellent partnership.

Will Kylian Mbappé play for France against Belgium in the Nations League?

Mbappé could be rested for Monday’s match between France and Belgium on the second matchday of the UEFA Nations League. Due to the demanding fixture schedule, with matches being played practically every three days, L’Équipe has reported Deschamps is considering leaving his captain on the bench. Thuram would be the man most likely to replace him.

Real Madrid tried to stop Mbappé from going on international duty this month, but their request was ignored by the French Football Federation.

While Aurélien Tchouaméni and Ferland Mendy didn’t join up with the France squad due to injury, the former PSG started and played the full 90 minutes versus Italy on Friday. Depending on how the match against Belgium goes, Mbappé could get some game time in the second half.