For some time now, Kylian Mbappé has been having a lot of trouble at Real Madrid. The French striker is unrecognizable and fans of the Spanish club are even wondering if they did the right thing in getting their hands on the former PSG player. But according to Nicolas Anelka, the period that the world champion is going through is normal, because he is being forced to play number nine even though it is not his preferred position.
Times are tough for Kylian Mbappé. While the latter made his dream come true last summer by joining the Real Madridhis start to his adventure within the Madrid club is not going in the best way. The Frenchman is not very effective and he sometimes seems very alone, as if abandoned by some of his partners. During his last outing in Champions Leaguethe former player of PSG made a very sad copy facing Liverpoolpunctuated by a missed penalty.
Anelka defends Mbappé
Kylian Mbappé is therefore not in the best shape of his life, but he can nevertheless count on certain support. This is particularly the case of Nicolas Anelkaformer striker of Real Madridwho insisted on defending the world champion live on RMC. “For him, it’s not easy, because it’s his first experience abroad. He arrives at a club which has won everything. So they don't necessarily need him this year. In his position, there is Vinicius who, for 2 years, has been flying over the championship and the Champions League. So when he arrives, it's complicated because he has to find a new position. So I think they will be patient with him because for him it is a new position, that of number 9. The problem with all the people talking, everyone thinks that being a winger like that is a position of As a striker, it's easy to become a number 9. It's a position that is completely different. You are the first to say that he has not been good for a year, but he has been playing number 9 for a year.”
“The big mistake everyone makes…”
According to Nicolas Anelka who knows the position very well, it is difficult to play number nine, especially when you are a basic winger. So you need a little patience before Kylian Mbappé can shine in this position Real Madrid. “At PSG, he played a lot of matches like 9 and he was a substitute a lot. (…) The big mistake that everyone makes, it is important to explain that it is not because you play left winger that you can necessarily play as a forward. Mbappé's game is speed and in spaces. When you are 9, you have your back to the goal with 2 guys on you. We ask him, by changing clubs, by changing countries, for another mentality, another football, new teammates, a new coach; he is asked in 3-4 months to become a number 9. If you know a little football, it is not possible. Can he become a great number 9? You have to wait. Do you think that overnight he can become number 9? But you don't actually respect the number 9 position. »
