After Kylian Mbappé completed a hat trick for Paris Saint-Germain against Reims on Saturday, many fans were quick to praise the player for helping his team to move top of the table.
However, Manager Luis Enrique wasn’t happy at all and voiced his frustration in a media outing thereafter.
According to the Spaniard, it was OK for MBAPPÉ to score and help the team win.
He’s a world-class player as he said but he was categorical about the France skipper’s contribution to the French outfit.
He said Mbappé could do more for his team than just score goals.
When quizzed about what he meant, he declared it was a one-on-one matter with his player.
Was the timing appropriate?
Was the timing appropriate?
We understand his frustration that Mbappé has provided just one assist in 15 games for PSG this season.
If it continues this way, Mbappé may not go anywhere close to the assists he provided last year. That’s undoubtedly true, and Luis Enrique should be worried.
But then,
What Luis Enrique doesn’t seem to consider is the fact that Mbappé is playing with a completely new set of players in front.
Last year he had Messi and Neymar, world-class forwards.
This year he has Dembelé, Kolo Muani, Lee Kang In and Ramos. None of these guys can unlace Neymar or Messi’s shoes.
That’s the first fact he should consider before laying any blame on Mbappé.
We all have seen how Dembelé is becoming more wasteful by the day, always lacking precision in his final passes and finishes. We have also seen him flop in ball delivery in counterattacks, and Mbappé’s greatest strength is in counterattacks thanks to his unrivaled pace.
Another point to note is that PSG are building their team around Mbappé who is the only reliable finisher they have right now.
Ramos is yet to find his former form after netting just twice since joining the club last summer, Kolo Muani is not so talented, Lee Kang In is not a prolific scorer.
This public criticism is rather weird for a manager. We don’t see Haaland contribute much to Manchester City besides the goals but Pep Guardiola always praises him publicly as the best in the world even when the Norwegian fails to score.
And what’s the point taking your dirty linen to the public and refusing to wash it?
If it’s a private matter, discuss it with the player and let the fans see results.
What impression do you give his teammates about him? Let them have their say while you do your job as the boss.
Perhaps it’s this public criticism that has inspired the French media to claim that some of Mbappé’s teammates believe he’s playing primarily for himself.
