Real Madrid believe the Frenchman’s problems are mental. While Mbappe figures it out, the team continues to spiral.
Almost the entire conversation in the build-up to Real Madrid’s game against Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday night was about the absence of Vinicius Jr, and what that would mean for Kylian Mbappe.
Some saw this as a make-or-break situation: If he can’t get going with the left wing to himself (with Rodrygo and Vinicius both out), he may never put it together. That may sound harsh, had you been told about this pseudo-ultimatum without context before the season started. ‘ Mbappe only has nine goals and it’s the end of Novemeber? Ok, not great, but, he’s in a new league, probably experiencing some bad luck, and it’s still early.’ Nope. He has looked a shell of his former self, and it’s getting alarming, though the club may not admit it publicly.
Most within the club believe what’s going on with Mbappe is mental. I co-sign, and have been vocal for a while now that Mbappe’s problems have little to do with positioning and Vinicius, and more down to his own confidence levels.
One source who is at Real Madrid’s training sessions daily, from start to finish (not just the 15-minute media windows) told me that what has struck him most is that Mbappe’s speed is remarkable, but he’s also missing chances prolifically in training with out of control shots and tame hits — akin to Vinicius’s first season at Real Madrid. He looks a player not lost physically, but mentally.
There is very little to get excited about as a Real Madrid fan when Mbappe receives the ball in stride on the left wing, right wing, or down the middle. He is fifth in the Big Five Leagues in successful take ons, but that is a bit deceiving — most of his dribbles are maneuvering with sharp cuts without getting anywhere. He rarely can explode past his man. When he does, there is even less confidence (both in him and those watching) that he can score.
The confidence has gotten worse as the season gone on. This is a mental decline rather than a physical one, which is why there is some optimism that he can pull it together, as difficult as it may be.