♦ Mbappe expected to join Real Madrid this summer on free transfer
♦ World Cup winner would add more star power to 14-time European champions
♦ Speculation over Mbappe’s role rife with Madrid’s frontline exceptionally strong
Real Madrid intend to use Kylian Mbappe as a central striker next season, with the Frenchman ‘relishing’ the responsibility required to lead the line with discipline, reports in Spain claim.
The 25-year-old’s move to Madrid is not yet official but it would be a huge surprise if he did not end up in the Spanish capital after his intention to leave Paris Saint-Germain this summer was made public.
Mbappe’s contract at PSG is due to expire at the end of June, meaning he’ll technically be joining Madrid on a free transfer, and although an agreement has not yet been totally finalised, the framework is in place.
The Frenchman’s move to Madrid has been two years in the making, but things have changed significantly in terms of playing personnel during that time. Vinicius Junior has emerged as one of the world’s best left wingers, while Rodrygo has gone from strength to strength playing both on the right and through the middle for Madrid.
Mbappe has preferred to play on the left since Neymar’s PSG exit, cutting inside to act as a darting inside forward, but that role has effectively been locked down in Madrid by the brilliance of Vinicius. There is, however, a huge need for a centre forward – the role previously filled by Karim Benzema for over a decade until his surprise departure to Saudi Arabia last summer.
Spanish publication AS report that Madrid, who have adopted a diamond formation this season to accommodate an overload of midfielders and the lack of central striker, intend to utilise Mbappe through the middle, and although that’s not the role he’d choose to operate in if given the choice, he is more than prepared to take on the challenge.
Indeed, Mbappe is rumoured to have told those close to him that the challenge of playing centrally ‘appeals’ to him, as well as the increased opportunity to sample Champions League glory and win multiple Ballon d’Or trophies.
Regardless of where Mbappe plays, it’s clear he’ll be an incredible goal threat in a Madrid team that has relied on the brilliance of Jude Bellingham on a number of occasions this season. The 20-year-old has scored 17 goals in 25 La Liga appearances and a further four in European competition during his debut year – including two last-gasp Clasico winners against Barcelona.
Mbappe, meanwhile, has notched 24 goals in 26 Ligue 1 games for PSG, adding a further 17 strikes in domestic cup and Champions League competition to take his total tally to 41.