French superstar faces criticism for lack of defensive work in challenging season for Los Blancos
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has reportedly identified Kylian Mbappe’s limited defensive contribution as a major factor in the club’s struggles this season. Mbappe, who joined Los Blancos from Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer in July, has faced growing criticism in Spain despite tallying eight goals and two assists in just 14 matches. Although his stats seem impressive, three of those goals have come from penalties, and fans and analysts alike have questioned the overall impact of his gameplay.
Mbappe, 25, has found himself overshadowed by teammate Vinicius Junior, and Real Madrid’s form has dipped since his arrival. The addition of Mbappe has also shifted the team’s setup, with Ancelotti moving Jude Bellingham into a deeper midfield role, taking over a position once held by the retired Toni Kroos.
Despite the signing of Mbappe and other strong attackers, Madrid have had a rocky start to the 2024-25 season. Their difficulties were highlighted in a recent 4-0 defeat to Barcelona, leaving them nine points behind their El Clasico rivals. According to Spanish outlet Relevo, Ancelotti is closely examining why his squad has fallen short, pinpointing Mbappe’s defensive work-rate as a significant issue.
In the match against Barcelona, Mbappe reportedly only covered eight kilometers, leaving Madrid with gaps in their pressing structure whenever they lost possession. This defensive shortfall has reportedly hindered Madrid’s ability to organize effectively.
Mbappe’s adaptation has also sparked commentary from former French star Thierry Henry, who offered advice during an interview with CBS in October: “Is he playing the best we have seen him from his PSG days? No. He needs to improve as a No. 9, which he’s struggling with at Real Madrid. Scoring goals isn’t always enough at a club like Madrid.”
Henry added that while players usually need time to adjust to a new team, expectations at Real Madrid are always high.
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