The Parisian forward could reach his best as a central striker under Carlo Ancelotti
Kylian Mbappe's social media posts are seen by millions across the globe, but in October 2022, one entry into his Instagram Stories truly caught the eye. Following Paris Saint-Germain's drab scoreless draw with Reims, the Parisian forward posted a picture of himself, giving a reluctant thumbs up to a team-mate, with the caption "#pivotgang."
Mbappe's post was taken as a criticism of then-manager Christophe Galtier's tactics. The coach had opted to start Mbappe alone up front – much to his chagrin – and the forward wasn't shy in letting the world know his feelings. That message seemed to start the steady decline of Galtier's tenure, the first sign of open revolt from a player who he couldn't afford not to have on his side.
Eighteen months later, though, and Mbappe might be about to face exactly the same problem. Should he complete his expected move to Real Madrid, he will have to play in a more central role, such is the quality on either side of the pitch for Los Blancos.
GettyOpen revolt
Ahead of that fateful Reims match, Mbappe had made it clear for some time that he needed to play alongside a central striker, rather than be the focal point himself. The Frenchman felt that having a big presence up front would allow him to dart in behind, and make clever runs around the pitch – a modern, modified version of the old-fashioned big man-little man system.
And in some ways, Mbappe had a point. He has repeatedly been at his best in a France shirt when paired with Olivier Giroud, the big striker serving as a focal point around which Mbappe thrives.
In the summer of 2022, it seemed that his wish to have a similar player to work with at PSG might come true. Mbappe had signed a massive new contract to stay in Paris, and it was clear that he expected a No.9 to arrive in the aftermath. But the Parisian hierarchy didn't provide him with one. Football advisor Luis Campos reportedly looked into signing Benfica's Goncalo Ramos, but the deal never materialised. And while promising Rennes striker Hugo Ekitike was signed, but never cracked the XI.
So while Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar still made for a fearsome front three, it forced the former to play a role he didn't feel he was best suited to. He made that clear during the September international break of 2022, highlighting the differences between playing for PSG and the national team:
"I play differently [with France]," he said. "I am asked other things here compared to with my club. I have a lot more freedom here. The coach knows that there is a number 9 like Olivier who occupies the defences and I can walk around and go into space. In Paris, it's different, there isn't that. I am asked to do the pivot, it is different."
Galtier refused to get dragged into a media feud, and instead placated his disgruntled star. "His analysis is fair," Galtier admitted. "He isn’t in the same configuration here as he is with the French national team. It is a conversation I had with him during the pre-season and one that I also had with the president and Luis Campos."
Still, the damage had been done. Mbappe was scoring goals, but he wasn't happy. The Parisians responded by overcompensating last summer, bringing in two natural No.9s in Ramos and Randal Kolo Muani. Mbappe, as a result, is averaging over a goal per game, and even though Luis Enrique has fiddled with his XIs – and sometimes uses Mbappe in a central role – the France forward had a point when it came to how he fit in under Galtier.
AdvertisementGettyPotential for improvement
Galtier's PSG side failed to succeed in the biggest competitions for a number of reasons, and Mbappe's apparent misuse was one of them. Neither Messi nor Neymar played particularly high up the pitch, forcing him to stay locked in the left channel – making the Parisians an ultimately predictable force. Yes, Mbappe still bagged 41 goals as PSG won Ligue 1, but there was a nagging feeling that with a better set-up, he could have done more – and Galtier's side might simply have been better.
It would appear, though, that with the right personnel around him at Madrid, that Mbappe could be an elite, mobile striker. Too often at PSG, he is asked to drop deep and link-up play. In the Spanish capital, though, he would be afforded the chance to play off the last man, and work as part of a deadly trio alongside Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr.
All three are able passers and smart runners with and without the ball, and if Madrid are able to operate on the counter-attack – something that Carlo Ancelotti likes his teams to do – then Mbappe could score goals in spades.
(C)Getty ImagesHow Madrid could look with Mbappe
This season, Real Madrid have played a 4-4-2 diamond, with Jude Bellingham operating as a false 9/No.10 hybrid, floating around the final third of the pitch. He acts as a perfect presence to set up chances for the split strikers – Rodrygo and Vinicius – who buzz around in front of him, as well as scoring a bucket load himself. It's a clever system – one that has unlocked the best in Bellingham and made Los Blancos among the favourites to win the Champions League once again.
Next season, though, Ancelotti seems set to switch back to his preferred 4-3-3 – with Mbappe as the central presence. Vinicius would seem to be a shoo-in on the left-hand side, while Rodrygo should have sole claim of the right side – although Brahim Diaz and Federico Valverde could also occupy the position.
Roles might not be so rigid here – Mbappe, Vinicius and Rodrygo figure to be a fluid trio. But the framework is there for an all-action, devastating front three.
(C)GettyImagesWhere the problems start
The issue is, though, Mbappe has never been particularly good at operating as a central striker. He is at his best when drifting, and gliding into the left half space – the same channel where Vinicius lives. There is simply not enough space on a football pitch for Vinicius and Mbappe to do the same thing (never mind the fact that it would make Madrid immensely predictable).
Perhaps an appropriate point of reference would be the way that Benzema operated for Los Blancos at his best. Benzema was the ultimate selfless goalscorer. The French striker could do a bit of everything. He could drop deep and run in behind. He could win headers, and score with either foot. His Ballon d'Or winning campaign was constructed around his versatility and willingness to adapt for an already excellent team.
He was rare in the sense that he could do the things that most strikers don't want to do – and also find the net at the right times. Mbappe, it would seem, isn't that type of player. He wants to constantly be involved, and get into the spots he is most comfortable in. He is so impactful because of his ability to do one thing – scamper up, down and around the left channel – better than anyone else in the world.
And that's the point of contention. Vinicius already does that. Mbappe does not have to overhaul his game and become the new Benzema. But he will have to be willing to make the runs to free up space for others, or stay central. He might touch the ball less, and get it in the areas where he doesn't usually make his biggest impact. For the first time, Mbappe will have to be unselfish.