He is far from being the worst Parisian on Wednesday night against Saint-Etienne (1-1), in Geoffroy-Guichard. But Kylian Mbappé has such talent and has already achieved so many feats that the slightest tasteless performance on his part never leaves you indifferent. Even less when it occurs after an already complicated end of the year 2020 and that so many challenges are available to him in 2021, with Paris but also with the Blues.
“I’m happy with Kylian, he had a good attitude,” Mauricio Pochettino said after the match. Of course he needs to improve, but like the whole team. He is surely disappointed because we did not win and because he could have done better. But he’s on the right track. “
How to explain despite everything the frustrating and disappointing impression left by the exits of the 22-year-old Bondynois? Answer in three acts.
It accumulates pips
Nothing sums up the physical and mental situation of Mbappé better than his comments on his club’s website at the end of October: “In my mind, it’s not a new season. It’s like it’s a continuation of the last season. For me, we are in the 60th game of the season, and not in the 9th game of the new season. “
It is true that nothing has been easy for the striker since the resumption of competition last July marked by a serious sprained ankle during the Coupe de France final against Saint-Etienne. After an intense effort, he had managed to recover to take part in the Final 8 of the Champions League in Lisbon. But from the start of the season, the Covid caught up with him and deprived him of the first three Ligue 1 games.
A few days after noticing his fatigue, Mbappé injured his thigh in Nantes on October 31. He missed a championship game and two games with the Blues. Finally, in December, Thomas Tuchel followed the recommendations of his medical staff and left Mbappé on the bench three times to avoid a new injury to which he was visibly close. Despite his holidays in Marrakech, Mbappé is therefore not yet at the top. The good news is that it can only gain momentum.
The collective does not help
To say that Kylian Mbappé would be responsible for the ills of PSG this season would be a somewhat ridiculous shortcut. After having trembled to qualify for the Champions League, Paris is struggling in the league. In a group in difficulty and weakened by the incessant injuries of its major players, Mbappé cannot turn into a savior alone.
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Admittedly, he has lacked efficiency lately and has been a little late in reaching the hundred goals with PSG, but he remains dependent on the balls that reach him or not. However, Di Maria is in poor shape and his accomplice Neymar, between injury and suspension, has only held three times by his side in Ligue 1! In Saint-Etienne, it was neither Bakker nor Verratti who took over from the Brazilian to launch Mbappé in depth.
His future weighs on him
Will extend? Will not extend? Under contract until June 2022, Kylian Mbappé still weighs this crucial question for his future on a daily basis. If the latest trend left open the possibility of an extension with PSG, the final decision will be up to a player who follows the ongoing discussions in detail. It could legitimately weigh on his shoulders. It must take into account the economic and sporting aspect, consider or not to emigrate. A tough choice. The prospect of evolving under the thumb of Zidane at Real Madrid or Klopp at Liverpool necessarily counts in his reflection. The coming months and his relationship with Pochettino are bound to have an influence as he approaches a crucial turning point for his career.
