Didier Deschamps, coach of the French team, objected to coach Luis Enrique’s criticism of Kylian Mbappe, after the 24-year-old striker took on the role of captain in Les Bleus’ record victory over Gibraltar.
Mbappe scored a hat-trick, including the 300th goal of his career, when the French team crushed Gibraltar 14-0 in Euro 2024 qualifying. This is the biggest victory in the history of Euro qualifying in general and of France team in particular.
The match took place just a few days after Luis Enrique, PSG coach, criticized Mbappe’s overall contribution to the Parisian club team. It can be said that coach Didier Deschamps does not agree with this point of view.
Mbappe has had an excellent start to the season as expected, scoring 15 goals in 15 matches in all competitions. But despite being at the top of Ligue 1, PSG did not always play convincingly in the first months of coach Enrique’s tenure. The Spanish coach wants more from his stars, especially Mpappe.
When asked by RMC radio about Mbappe’s performance after the historic 14-0 victory over Gibraltar, Deschamps laughed at Enrique’s comments and said: “I expected more from him. As captain, Mbappe very perfect. Mbappe is an extraordinary player in everything. He can bring comfort to the whole team, not only on the field.”
After Mbappe scored a hat-trick in PSG’s 3-0 win over Reims last weekend, Enrique said: “I’m not very satisfied with Mbappe today. Why? Because the coaches are very strange. In terms of goals, I don’t need to say anything, but I think he can help the team more in other ways. I told Mbappe first, because it wasn’t a private conversation. We think Mbappe is one of “The best players in the world. There’s no doubt about that, but we need more and want him to do more.”
When asked about these complaints, Mbappe frankly shared his opinion and affirmed that the current relationship between him and the Spanish strategist is completely normal.
“You would have to ask him about the timing (of Luis Enrique’s criticism). I did very well. He is a great coach and has a lot to teach me. From day one, I said he would have no problem with me. I have always had a good relationship with the coaches I have worked with, like Didier Deschamps, Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Tuchel… It can be said that this is one of the coaches who is not satisfied with me, but that does not stop me. play well and have a good relationship with them.
I am a player with very high requirements for myself, so when I received that request from the coach, I was very happy. I don’t need my coach to tell me I’m the best player in the world every day.”
Mbappe may appear in France’s final Euro 2024 qualifying match against Greece at 2:45 a.m. on November 22. Although Mbappe does not need to prove anything to the French coach, he probably has to do more to completely convince the PSG coach.
Mbappe is expected to leave PSG at the end of this season when his contract expires, but will continue to score regularly for defending champion Ligue 1. Mbappe is leading the list of top scorers in Ligue 1 with 13 goals in 11 appearances. and had 2 more goals in the Champions League group stage.
Real Madrid has long intended to recruit Mbappe, but in early November denied that they were negotiating with Mbappe. The 24-year-old striker’s current contract with PSG will expire at the end of this season, although he has the option to extend the contract for another year.
The Spanish Royal Club quelled rumors of “night outings” with Mbappe by stating: “With information recently released and published by the media, including speculation about the supposed negotiations, is between Kylian Mbappe and our club, Real Madrid would like to declare that this information is completely false and that no such negotiations were held with a PSG player.
Asking Mbappe about his future while playing for the French national team made him uncomfortable. The French media asked the PSG superstar about his future amid rumors with Real Madrid. Once again, this makes the player unhappy.
Mbappe said: “It’s something I don’t want to discuss. I really want us to talk about the French team. We had very good results. I would rather people talk about that than about me, about one thing something that will be resolved someday”.
The French team will soon have a ticket to Euro 2024 with 7 wins in the group with the Netherlands, Greece, Ireland and Gibraltar.