France national team manager Didier Deschamps has offered a fascinating insight into Kylian Mbappé’s positional preferences, potentially shedding light on the superstar’s recent difficulties at Real Madrid. The discussion comes amid growing scrutiny of Mbappé’s performances since his high-profile summer move to the Spanish capital, where he has managed just one goal in his last seven appearances.
The 25-year-old’s dream transfer to the Santiago Bernabeu, following his departure from Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent, has yet to yield the explosive impact many anticipated. While expectations soared with his arrival, the transition has proven more challenging than expected, prompting questions about his tactical deployment under Carlo Ancelotti.
Speaking on Telefoot, Deschamps addressed the ongoing debate about Mbappé’s optimal position with characteristic frankness. You might tell me that I’m ‘crazy’ to put him as a centre forward,” the World Cup-winning coach acknowledged, “but he also played centre forward with his last two coaches [Ancelotti and PSG’s Luis Enrique].”
However, Deschamps’ most revealing observation came when discussing the nuanced differences in how Mbappé operates in central areas. When he’s in the centre, he has a preference for the left centre rather than the right centre,” he explained, before adding the crucial detail: “even though I saw him at Real Madrid rather occupying the right centre. It’s a balance.”
This subtle yet significant tactical detail might explain the forward’s current adaptation period at Real Madrid. While Mbappé’s versatility has never been in question – Deschamps emphasized that “he can play in several positions” – the specific interpretation of the central role appears to be creating an adjustment challenge for the French captain.
The discussion gains additional context when considering Mbappé’s absence from recent France squads for the Nations League fixtures. Despite this temporary international hiatus, Deschamps remains steadfast in his vision for utilizing Mbappé’s talents within the national team setup. His comments suggest that while the position might remain the same, the interpretation of the role can vary significantly between club and country.
Deschamps also touched upon the importance of tactical associations, noting that Mbappé’s effectiveness in a central role differs from that of a traditional center-forward like Olivier Giroud. He doesn’t have Giroud’s profile of course,” Deschamps noted, “so it all depends on which team we’re playing against.” This observation highlights the complex tactical considerations at play when deploying a player of Mbappé’s unique skill set.
The situation at Real Madrid presents an interesting case study in how even the world’s elite players must adapt to new tactical systems. Under Ancelotti, Mbappé has been asked to interpret the central striker role differently from his experiences with both PSG and the French national team. This adjustment period, while challenging, is not unprecedented for players making high-profile transfers to new leagues and systems.
As the season progresses, the football world will be watching closely to see how Mbappé adapts to his new surroundings and tactical requirements. The forward will have his next opportunity to showcase his adaptation when Real Madrid faces Leganes on November 24 in La Liga, following the international break.
Deschamps’ insights suggest that while Mbappé’s current form might be below his usual standards, the underlying issue may be more about tactical refinement than any fundamental concerns about his ability or position. The French manager’s comments indicate a deep understanding of Mbappé’s preferences and capabilities, while also highlighting the complexity of tactical adaptation at the highest level of football.
For Real Madrid fans and observers alike, this period may simply represent the necessary adjustment phase of a world-class talent finding his feet in a new environment. With time and tactical fine-tuning, the explosive performances that have defined Mbappé’s career thus far may soon become a regular feature at the Santiago Bernabeu.
