Before facing Italy in Milan this Sunday evening for the last day of the group stage of the League of Nations, Didier Deschamps spoke about the situation of Kylian Mbappé, not called up for the second meeting in a row, and in difficulty at Real Madrid. At the microphone of Téléfoot, on TF1, the French coach admitted that his captain was currently in “ a complicated situation “, even going so far as to mention ” a psychological state that is fragile ».
Pace, requirements and positioning
Didier Deschamps did not want to be alarmist, and brushed aside rumors of a possible disenchantment between Kylian Mbappé and the France team. “ He's in a complicated situation, yes, but that doesn't take away what he did and he's supposed to get back to everything he was able to do very well. », affirmed DD, imitating Ibrahima Konaté, present at a press conference on Saturday. “ Sometimes it doesn't respond or it responds less well and there can be a psychological state… Going as far as (talking about) depression, I don't know, but a psychological state which is fragile » he continued.
The coach also regretted that his players had “ barely three weeks » only recovery after a grueling Euro 2024, before having to meet requirements “ increasingly higher “. After a shortened preparation with Real Madrid, Mbappé is still struggling today to find his place in the Madrid club, and has put in decent performances. The fault also lies in a relatively new positioning for him: advanced center forward. But Didier Deschamps admits to wanting to use him in this position too.
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« You will perhaps tell me that I am tired of putting him as a center forward but he also played center forward with his last two coaches. He doesn't have Giroud's profile, obviously » assured the Blues coach, who in his absence continues to trust Randal Kolo Muani and Marcus Thuram. After two not very prolific offensive rallies, Didier Deschamps must still wait impatiently to be able to work around Kylian Mbappé again.
France
