The arrival of Kylian Mbappé at Real Madrid promises a dream attack, but Carlo Ancelotti will have to decide how to fit the Frenchman in without leaving out Vinicius Junior and Bellingham
Real Madrid Unveils New Signing Kylian Mbappe / Quality Sport Images/GettyImages
Madrid is buzzing with anticipation. The arrival of Kylian Mbappé at Real Madrid is the kind of news that moves the soccer world and leaves fans dreaming of titles and glory. But behind all the excitement, Carlo Ancelotti faces a dilemma that any coach would like to have: how to fit so many stars into a single team? The challenge of putting together an attack that includes not only Mbappé, but also Vinicius Jr, Bellingham and Rodrygo, can be as exciting as it is complicated.
Mbappé arrives at Real Madrid with an enviable CV, packed with titles and individual awards, the Frenchman is set to be the main star of the Merengue club, but the question on everyone’s lips is: where will he play? Mbappé is known for his speed, dribbling ability and accurate finishing. His natural place on the pitch is as a striker on the left, but that’s exactly the position where Vinicius Junior has shone in recent seasons and is a strong candidate to be the best player in the world. The tendency is for Ancelotti to keep the Brazilian in the role. However, the coach has the option of changing the tactical scheme to accommodate both players.
Mbappé’s UEFA Super Cup debut against Atalanta, scheduled for next Wednesday, August 14, will be the first litmus test for this new formation. Ancelotti has a range of options at his disposal that many coaches would envy, but each choice will have its implications. If he decides to keep Vinicius on the left and put Mbappé at center forward, the solution seems simple, but it may not be so easy in practice. Vinicius would have to adapt to a new game dynamic, and Mbappé, despite having played in that position before, prefers to play on the left, where he can better exploit his speed and cut into the middle.
Real Madrid Unveils New Signing Kylian Mbappe / Quality Sport Images/GettyImages
Another option would be to move Bellingham into a more attacking role, perhaps as a false nine, which would leave Mbappé and Vinicius on the wings. This configuration would keep the Englishman close to goal, taking advantage of his finishing ability and physical presence. However, this would mean that Rodrygo could end up losing his place in the starting line-up. Ancelotti would have to assess whether it’s worth sacrificing Rodrygo’s versatility to keep Bellingham further forward.
And then we have the old reliable 4-3-3. With this formation, Ancelotti could form a dream attacking trio with Vinicius, Mbappé and Rodrygo. Bellingham would drop back into midfield, alongside Tchouameni and Valverde, for example, forming a sector of great strength and dynamism. Captain Modric would be left out, but could come on during games, something that happened in 2023/24. The point is that Madrid now have a vacancy due to the retirement of Toni Kroos and it would be perfect to fit the team in this way.
Whatever formation Ancelotti chooses, Mbappé’s arrival at Real Madrid is a statement of intent. The Merengues want to remain at the top of European soccer, and to that end they have gone to great lengths to bring in one of the best players in the world. The five-year contract, with an annual salary of 31.2 million euros, plus 100 million euros in signing bonuses and image rights, shows how much the club trusts the impact Mbappé can have.
Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo / James Gill – Danehouse/GettyImages
However, this confidence also brings pressure. Mbappé is not a youngster in development, like many others who have arrived at Real Madrid in the past. He is expected to deliver immediate results, to be decisive in important games and, above all, to help the club win titles. The UEFA Super Cup may be just the first of many challenges he will face in the Whites’ shirt, but it will also be a golden opportunity.
At the end of the day, Ancelotti’s dilemma is the kind of problem any coach would like to have. Assembling a team with so many stars is never easy, but it’s a task that can bear great fruit if done correctly. The key to Real Madrid’s success this season may lie in Ancelotti’s ability to manage these stars, find the right balance and, above all, keep everyone motivated and focused on a common goal.
Mbappé’s debut for Real Madrid may mark the beginning of a new era at the Santiago Bernabéu, but it will be teamwork and the ability to adapt that will determine whether this dream team becomes a reality or just another “what if” chapter in the club’s rich history. For Mbappé, Vinicius, Bellingham and company, the journey begins now, and the eyes of the world will be on Warsaw, waiting to see what this constellation of stars can do when the whistle blows and the ball starts rolling.