Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has shared his exciting plans for how he’ll use the French forward on the field
Kylian Mbappe is set to don the No. 9 jersey in his debut season with Real Madrid.
The 25-year-old French forward, known for his prowess as an attacking left winger, was often deployed as a central striker during his last season with Paris Saint-Germain.
In the 2023-24 campaign, Real Madrid’s attacking lineup primarily featured Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, and Joselu.
While most of these players demonstrated versatility across various attacking positions, Joselu remained consistent in the traditional No. 9 role. However, Joselu has since departed for Al-Gharafa in Qatar.
Real Madrid’s manager, Carlo Ancelotti, clarified on the Obi One Podcast that Mbappe would not be a direct replacement for Joselu.
Instead, Ancelotti envisions a dynamic and fluid attacking formation for the 2024-25 season, with Mbappe, Bellingham, Vinicius, and Rodrygo frequently interchanging positions.
“I see him playing up front. The front, the attack, is quite wide – the pitch is 68 metres. We have to cover these 68 metres with the players in front.”
Carlo Ancelotti
“If I ask you where Vinicius played last season, it’s difficult to say. He didn’t [always] play as a left winger. He moved. The important key to the attacking players is the mobility of the players. Sometimes they can play on the left, sometimes down the middle.”
“Bellingham sometimes played on the left, sometimes in the middle, sometimes went to the right. Rodrygo started most of the games on the right, sometimes I saw him playing on the left. So it’s important, the mobility.”
“I want to give them freedom. They have to be able to manage the situation of the game. We played one game against City with both Vinicius and Rodrygo on the left, because we thought we could take advantage.”
“We are not so worried where Mbappe will play. I think it’s true, it’s important about the mobility up front.”