PSG Manager Luis Enrique Has Reportedly Engaged In Discussions Aimed At Resolving Any Lingering Issues With Kylian Mbappe.
It’s been reported that Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe recently had discussions with head coach Luis Enrique to address concerns stemming from his early substitutions in Ligue 1 matches. Since informing PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi of his intention to depart at the end of the season, the 25-year-old has not played the full 90 minutes in a league fixture. Mbappe was initially left out of the starting lineup for the game against Nantes on February 17, shortly after his decision to leave PSG became public. However, he came off the bench to score from the penalty spot in a 2-0 victory. In subsequent matches, he was substituted midway through the second half against Nantes and was withdrawn at halftime in Friday’s draw against his former club. Following his halftime substitution, Mbappe changed into a tracksuit and interacted with supporters at the Stade Louis II before joining his mother in the stands.
PSG manager Enrique clarified after the match that the substitution of the French international was not due to injury and reiterated the need for his team to adapt to playing without Mbappe, echoing a sentiment he expressed after the draw with Rennes.
Interestingly, the Ligue 1 champions showed improvement in their attacking play against Monaco once Mbappe was substituted, although they still struggled to find a breakthrough and relied on some outstanding saves from goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to secure a point.
According to ESPN, Mbappe requested a meeting with Enrique on Saturday to discuss his recent early substitutions, during which Enrique denied that the decisions were a response to Mbappe’s decision to leave the club in the summer.
Reportedly, Mbappe was “unhappy” about losing his place in the PSG starting lineup to Randal Kolo Muani for the second half of Friday’s match, but Enrique explained that the substitution was a precautionary measure.
Mbappe’s absence from the starting lineup against Nantes came shortly after the first leg of their Champions League last-16 encounter with Real Sociedad, whom they are set to face in the return leg on Tuesday.
However, Mbappe remains convinced that Enrique’s decisions are motivated by his refusal to extend his contract and leave on a free transfer, despite the fact that he is still expected to start against Sociedad on Tuesday night.
The reigning World Cup champion is reportedly already in agreement with Real Madrid on a five-year contract, with an annual salary of €15m (£12.9m) and a signing bonus of €150m (£128.6m).
Mbappe will depart PSG as the club’s all-time leading scorer, having amassed 244 goals and 105 assists in 293 appearances for Les Parisiens, winning five Ligue 1 titles but falling short of guiding them to Champions League glory.
In addition to the forward, Real Madrid is also reported to have reached an agreement to sign his 17-year-old brother Ethan Mbappe, following a request from the Mbappe family.
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