Can Paris Saint-Germain Afford to Exclude Mbappe?
In a recent game against Monaco, Kylian Mbappe, the star player of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), was unexpectedly taken off during halftime and chose to join his mother in the stands rather than sit with his teammates on the bench. This decision by PSG boss Luis Enrique has sparked speculation about Mbappe’s future at the club. European football expert James Horncastle believes that PSG may be preparing for a future without the talented striker, as they aim to transition into a team that promotes and develops young players rather than relying on big-name signings.
Mbappe’s exclusion from the team raises questions about the wisdom of preparing for life after him now, especially considering his impressive performance this season. The 25-year-old has scored 26 goals in all competitions, with 21 of them coming in the league, making him the current top scorer. While PSG is on track to win the Ligue 1 title, their ultimate goal of Champions League success has eluded them thus far. With Mbappe’s remarkable record in the competition, it would be unwise not to utilize him to his full potential before his potential departure.
Mbappe has excelled in the Champions League, scoring 44 goals in 68 appearances, including 38 for PSG. With PSG holding a 2-0 advantage over Real Sociedad in the round of 16, they have a good chance of reaching the quarter-finals. However, Horncastle believes that Mbappe is PSG’s best chance of winning the Champions League and that they should make the most of him while he is still with the club.
Furthermore, Mbappe’s recent substitutions in two consecutive games raise concerns about his role in the team. French football writer Julien Laurens suggests that with Mbappe leaving, Luis Enrique may feel more comfortable taking him off if he feels the player isn’t performing up to par. It seems that the PSG boss expects more from Mbappe than just scoring goals and wants him to contribute more to the team’s overall performance.
Mbappe’s potential departure in the summer would mark the third major player exit for PSG in the past 12 months, following Neymar and Lionel Messi. This suggests a shift in the club’s strategy, moving away from signing superstar names and focusing on building a different-looking team for the next season. Laurens reveals that PSG has a shortlist of five names for potential signings, including AC Milan winger Rafael Leao, Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva, Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, and Lille central defender Leny Yoro. The potential addition of players like Silva would bring both creativity and experience to the team.
In conclusion, the exclusion of Kylian Mbappe from recent games and his decision to sit with his mother instead of his teammates has sparked speculation about his future at PSG. While the club may be preparing for a future without him, it would be unwise to overlook his contributions this season, especially in their pursuit of Champions League glory. As PSG potentially shifts its focus to developing young talent and building a new-look team, the inclusion of players like Bernardo Silva can bring both creativity and experience. Regardless of the changes ahead, one thing is clear – Mbappe’s departure would leave a significant void for PSG to fill.