Manager Carlo Ancelotti has said that Kylian Mbappe is the main reason why Real Madrid is having so much trouble right now.
The French player was hailed as Madrid’s biggest summer signing after he refused to stay at PSG longer and signed with the defending Champions League winners as a free agent.
It hasn’t been easy for the famous striker to live in Madrid, though. He moved there at the same time that Madrid was having a hard time defending their La Liga and European titles.
Barcelona recently beat Real Madrid 4-0 in El Clasico to take a nine-point lead over their rival. Mbappe’s finishing and habit to go offside during the game annoyed Real Madrid fans.
Because he likes to play as a central striker, Jude Bellingham has been pushed lower into midfield, and the Englishman has yet to score this season after a big season at the Santiago Bernabeu last year.
Kylian Mbappe has reportedly been identified as the biggest problem in Real Madrid’s current struggles
Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti (right) is struggling to get the best out of Mbappe (left)
Mbappe ran just 8km during Madrid’s recent embarrassing El Clasico defeat against Barcelona
Ancelotti has previously stressed he wants to see more from Mbappe, but is now blaming the 25-year-old for his inability to help the team when out of possession, as reported by Relevo.
It is claimed Mbappe has been identified as the team’s biggest problem with his lack of effort in running showing the World Cup winner only ran 8km during Madrid’s embarrassing El Clasico defeat.
The star’s refusal to help his team-mates regain possession has caused an imbalance in Madrid’s set-up that is making them more open and susceptible to counter-attacks.
Mbappe is struggling to replicate his previous superstar form that led to Madrid bringing him to the club
Ancelotti has reportedly identified Mbappe’s lack of defensive contribution as a major problem
Mbappe’s current goal return of just eight goals in 14 matches across all competitions hasn’t been enough to convince club chiefs they have made the right decision in bringing the forward to Madrid.
Meanwhile, PSG are excelling without Mbappe, currently topping the Ligue 1 table and producing more collective team performances in the Frenchman’s absence who left amid sour circumstances.
Arsenal and Les Blues legend Thierry Henry recently praised the French giants for improving without Mbappe who was previously the central figure in the team.
‘They are a bit more stable, less counters. But they still lost Mbappe,’ Henry told CBS Sports.