When Real Madrid confirmed the acquisition of Kylian Mbappé during the summer after months of speculation, many Football enthusiasts and analysts believed this marked the beginning of a dynasty for the Spanish giants. The prospect of adding the French superstar to a squad that had just secured a treble, clinching La Liga, the Spanish Super Cup, and their 15th Champions League title, sent shivers down the spine of their rivals. It seemed like a sure bet for those who wagered on Real Madrid to sweep the trophies this season, whether through online bookmakers, Bitcoin sportsbooks, or casual bets with friends.
Fast forward to the current international break, and Carlo Ancelotti’s side finds themselves trailing six points behind Barcelona in La Liga and struggling in 18th place in the revamped Champions League table.
Mbappé’s signing was anticipated to be the final piece in an already impressive attacking lineup that featured Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, and Jude Bellingham, who collectively netted 64 goals last season. With such a wealth of attacking talent, one has to wonder: where has it all gone wrong for Real Madrid? Is Kylian Mbappé becoming more of a burden than a blessing?
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Following the transfer announcement, much discussion revolved around Mbappé’s integration into the squad. The attacking trio of Vinicius, Bellingham, and Rodrygo thrived together, particularly last season, with Bellingham making remarkable strides as he filled the striker role, supported by the two Brazilian wingers. However, with Mbappé stepping into the fray, it was Bellingham who found himself pushed into a more withdrawn position to accommodate the Frenchman centrally.
This shift in position has evidently dampened Bellingham’s effectiveness as he now struggles to threaten the opposition’s goal area, only managing to net his first goal of the season in the 4-0 rout against Osasuna on November 9. Crucially, this goal stemmed from a classic deep run, possibly facilitated by the attention devoted to a less forward-focused Mbappé. Meanwhile, Vinicius Junior has continued to dazzle, scoring a hat-trick in that same fixture, leaving Ancelotti with the conundrum of balancing the movements and positioning of both Mbappé and Bellingham.
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Another concern arises from the potential overlap in play areas for Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappé. Both players have a penchant for cutting inside from the left wing. Analysis of Mbappé’s heatmap from this season reveals a tendency to drift towards the left flank, inadvertently leaving Rodrygo isolated on the right.
Nonetheless, the shared space on the left flank did not account for the embarrassing 0-4 defeat to Barcelona, where Mbappé was caught offside an extraordinary eight times, falling victim to Hansi Flick’s well-organised defensive line. This incident raises questions about Mbappé’s on-pitch awareness—a tough critique for a player who famously scored a hat-trick in the 2022 World Cup final. Yet, this performance might serve as a critical lesson for Real Madrid regarding Mbappé’s role in the team.
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The fatigue that has begun to thrum through elite footballers across Europe could also be afflicting both Real Madrid and Mbappé. The looming spectre of player burnout has been a hot topic of discussion among players such as Rodri, Alisson, and even Mbappé himself. Currently, the French international is embroiled in a standoff with the French Football Association concerning his reluctance to represent his national team. Following his omission from the squad set to face Israel and Italy, whispers of a rift with manager Didier Deschamps have surfaced.
For Real Madrid, having a rejuvenated Mbappé on the pitch can only bode well. Despite the apparent struggles, he has still managed to net eight goals in his first sixteen outings. Perhaps expectations were set too high for the former PSG star, drawing comparisons to Cristiano Ronaldo during his early days at the club. Fans and pundits expected nothing short of fireworks from this ensemble of attacking prowess, but at the end of the day, Mbappé is still a newcomer trying to establish himself in a new environment.
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The season is still in its infancy, and there’s plenty more to come across all competitions. Real Madrid supporters are far from losing hope at this stage. They are well aware that while form and understanding with teammates may fluctuate, the tremendous talent of Kylian Mbappé remains a constant.
