In a glaring dip in form since his arrival at Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappé has been a constant target of criticism in France but also in Madrid. However, to get back to the best version of the 2018 world champion, the Casa Blanca club have taken a totally unexpected decision.
Since arriving at Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappé seems to have lost some of his sparkle. His performances have been mixed, with the Frenchman struggling to adapt to the demands of Carlo Ancelotti’s system. The situation has worsened in recent weeks, with Mbappé failing to find the net in four games, while his team-mate Vinícius Jr. has put in a string of outstanding performances, including two resounding hat-tricks against Borussia Dortmund and Osasuna.
Faced with this period of doubt for their star recruit, Real Madrid have decided to take a radical step. According to Marca, Mbappé will be one of a small group of players who will remain under the direct supervision of Carlo Ancelotti during the international break. The aim of this strategy is to remove the player from the media spotlight and provide him with a calm environment in which to concentrate and work. The club hopes to see Mbappé “take refuge in Valdebebas”, away from outside pressure, so that he can refocus and get back to his best.
Mbappé and the change in status within the club
At Real Madrid, the hierarchy has changed somewhat. Vinícius Jr. has become the in-form striker, while Mbappé, once seen as the natural leader of the attack, is now having to deal with below-par performances. However, those around him are encouraging him to be patient and believe it is “only a matter of time” before he returns to full fitness.
In addition to his difficult sporting situation, Mbappé is also going through some personal turbulence. He has not been called up to the France squad for the last two training camps, and has come in for fierce criticism from the media in both France and Spain. He is also the subject of a judicial enquiry in Sweden over allegations of sexual assault, and his relations with his former club PSG and Les Bleus coach Didier Deschamps are strained.
According to L’Équipe, Mbappé has taken steps to deal with these multiple pressures by seeking help from specialists, in the hope of strengthening his mental state. A necessary step if the Bondynois is to regain his confidence and composure, both on and off the pitch. Real Madrid, aware of what is at stake, hope that this phase of introspection will help Mbappé to emerge from his slump.
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