‘It isn’t his game’ – Wilfrid Mbappé defends Kylian Mbappé’s lack of defensive work

Kylian Mbappé’s (26) defensive work has always been a point of criticism. The top-scorer in Europe’s top five leagues in his debut season at Real Madrid, the France captain’s attacking output has never been questioned, but his capacity to fit into a collective has. 

In the Luis Enrique documentary, “No Tenéis Ni **** Idea”, filmed during Mbappé’s final year at Paris Saint-Germain, the Spaniard was seen demanding more from the Frenchman in defensive phases, highlighting his deficiencies in this area in a presentation. 

When it became that the forward would leave PSG to join Real Madrid on a free transfer, Luis Enrique insisted that Les Parisiens would ultimately be better without their talisman. He was proved correct, with PSG going on to win their first ever UEFA Champions League trophy.

And whilst Mbappé netted 44 goals in 59 games for Los Blancos last season, collectively, it was an unsuccessful campaign, ending in no major trophy. His defensive output was once again called into question, however, in an interview with L’Équipe, his father, Wilfrid, has come to his defence. 

‘We criticise a guy when he scores 60 goals in a season’ – Wilfrid Mbappé

“The full-back, is he an attacker or a defender? What do we want from him? I am not saying that Kylian shouldn’t defend, but what are we judging a player on? A full-back, I don’t care if he crosses well. Every position has its specificities. We criticise a guy when he scores 60 goals in a season. What I do criticise him from, however, is if there is a duel not far away. Go and help,” began Wilfrid. 

His father, who coached him at youth level, added, “I may shock people by saying this, but the run that the PSG winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia does in the Champions League final (to track back and tackle Denzel Dumfries in the 90th minute), I don’t care. It isn’t Kylian’s game. He does things that others cannot […] so everyone has their stance, but I am one of those who will never say that to attackers, and not because he is my son. I am not saying that you don’t have to defend, but if he only has to do defensive work, we aren’t in the same room.”

GFFN | Luke Entwistle