Mbappe and Enrique have only worked together for more than 5 months. The third vice-captain and also the most expensive player of the PSG squad (180 million euros on Transfermarkt) has only played 21 matches under the Spanish coach. However, these two men had 4 conflicts with each other.
The “war” between Mbappe and Enrique
After 22 appearances while working with Enrique, Mbappe scored 21 goals and had 2 assists. This number is lower than the achievement of 20 “shots” and 5 successful passes of the striker born in 1998 last season, in the first 21 matches as a student of Christophe Galtier – Enrique’s predecessor. The former Barcelona captain and Mbappe also had four disagreements with each other.
The superstar wearing shirt number 7 provoked Brest fans at Francis-Le Ble Stadium while leaving the field to take a break, making way for Nordi Mukiele after scoring the decisive goal, helping PSG win 2-0 in round 10 of Ligue 1 on July 29. /ten. “They insulted my teammates” for their actions, Mbappe explained. However, Enrique criticized his 25-year-old student, just like what Eric Roy – head coach and Hugo Magnetti – midfielder of Brest did.
On November 21, the former captain of the Spanish national team continued to criticize the former AS Monaco player even though he had just scored a hat-trick against Stade de Reims in round 12. “I’m not satisfied with Kylian. I have nothing to say about goals, but he can help the team in another way,” Enrique said in the press conference room after the match. That day, Mbappe was the only player who could score on PSG’s side.
The disagreement continued to happen at the end of the match against Borussia Dortmund in the final match of the Champions League group stage on December 14. At that time, the match taking place at Signal Iduna Park had a score of 1-1. AC Milan is leading Newcastle 2-1 in the match at the same time at St James’ Park. If nothing changes, PSG will only end the group stage in second place in Group F, with Dortmund taking first place. At that time, Enrique instructed his students to limit attacks, focus on defense and control the ball, to avoid conceding more goals. If the German representative wins the match, the French team will not be able to continue.
Lucho’s decision made Mbappe unhappy. The 2018 World Cup champion wants PSG to continue to advance, looking for goals to win 3 points, thereby taking first place in the group. AS newspaper also reported that Mbappe had an argument with Enrique and no one was willing to give in. The 53-year-old strategist also defended his decision. He affirmed that “this is the wisest decision of his career” and “it would be ridiculous if PSG had to concede a goal at the end of the match.”
In the next match, these two characters clashed with each other again. After scoring the opening goal on a penalty kick in a 1-1 draw against Lille in round 16 of Ligue 1 on December 18, Mbappe did not celebrate. The reason is said to be that the French star was uncomfortable when Enrique placed him as a central striker. Mbappe’s favorite position is on the wing.
Over 5 months of work, the relationship between number 7 and Lucho encountered problems 4 times. Every team will not be successful, or have a satisfactory season if the head coach and the number 1 star keep bumping into each other more than once a month.