Kylian Mbappe: Confusion, Misery, Hurt As Real Madrid Dream Turns Into Nightmare
- Kylian Mbappe's display in a Real Madrid shirt elicited sharp reactions yet again after another torrid display
- Mbappe failed to spark at Anfield on a night where he was expected to maximise Vinicius' Junior absence
- YEN.com.gh looks at how Mbappe's dream is fading away and a possible way back as grumbles about his output continue to grow
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Like any other fanboy, he dreamt about it. He fantasised about it. He had stickers and photos of his favourite idols in his room. He went about his business with one purpose - to join the club of his dreams.
And on June 3, after years of intense speculations, his wildest dream became a reality. He was announced as a new Real Madrid player on a free transfer.
Source: Getty Images
Fast forward many months later - his dream has become his worst nightmare. He looks battered, out of sorts and, by his own coach's admission, bereft of confidence.
How did Kylian Mbappe get here?
Kylian Mbappe's performance vs Liverpool
At the end of the defeat at Anfield, the Frenchman was the first person down the tunnel. He had just lost possession for the 15th time, which culminated in Thibaut Courtois denying Luis Diaz to make the score 3-0.
Mbappe's talent requires no reintroduction. Despite his recent misgivings, he is still easily one of the best players in the world. It is why Florentino Perez bid his time to bring him to the Bernabeu, but the star boy he thought he signed is quickly turning out to be his waterloo.
How can Mbappe and Vinicius play together?
Before his arrival, many were eager to understand how Carlo Ancelotti would fit both the French star and Vinicius Junior in the same XI. Both love to come in from the left and with devastating effect.
Vinicius had already nailed down his spot as the best left winger in the world - even the best player overall, depending on who you ask and if you choose to disregard the recent Ballon d'Or vote. Why was Madrid signing another good player to compete with Vinicius for the same spot in the team?
Did Real Madrid really need Mbappe?
Mbappe's arrival at Bernabeu came two seasons late when he was initially wanted by Perez. Two or three seasons ago, Vinicius had just started showing glimpses of his talent but he was yet to secure his spot as an outright starter.
But in 2024, this is Vinicius' team. Almost everything the team does upfront goes through the Brazilian.
Mbappe's stats this season
Mbappe started as a number 9 and despite his 11 goal involvements in 18 games, it is the things that other things that have attracted attention. From the offsides to poor positioning, to failing to beat players on 1v1 to missing easy chances, this is not the Mbappe they signed.
On Wednesday night, Mbappe was silenced by Conor Bradley, who was just making his first Champions League start. But perhaps that's not the headline. In Vinicius' absence, Mbappe was expected to put on a show in his preferred left wing, but it was Liverpool's teenager who came out on top with cracking challenges.
The missed penalty summed up his erratic display as he sunk into a new low. He is no longer the star man in a league where he is adored; he is just another player in a team of superstars.
What Mbappe needs to do to succeed at Real Madrid
But where does he go from here? Ancelotti swapped them in their weekend La Liga clash at Leganes, but there is no chance Vinicius will play in the number 9 position long-term. Mbappe's best bet is to redefine himself and master the centre forward position if he wants to have a successful career at Bernabeu.
His idol, Cristiano Ronaldo, transitioned from the wing to being a full-time number 9. Understandably, Mbappe's main strengths of pace and cutting in from the left are lost when he plays as a striker, but he will have to adapt for him to coexist with Vinicius.
Mbappe needs to find solutions
Signing Mbappe was a good visual image for Perez, but I still maintain that it brought a huge imbalance in the team. Jude Bellingham, who was scoring at will last season as a false number 9, has disappeared, while the player they signed to play in that position is yet to take off as expected.
That Anfield display was a bad one, but there is no cause for unnecessary alarm. However, if he hasn't realised yet, he doesn't have the luxury of time in Spain. His every pass, touch, positioning, response to official calls and interplay will be scrutinised and criticised.
He needs something to break his way soon because this is not the dream he had in mind.
Awkward tunnel moment for Mbappe spotted
YEN.com.gh has earlier reported on the awkward tunnel moment for Mbappe at Anfield.
The 2018 World Cup winner tried to talk to Bellingham possibly about tactics, but the Englishman assumed him and talked to Brahim Diaz instead.
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Source: TUKO.co.ke
