Karim Benzema Explains Why Kylian Mbappe Is Struggling at Real Madrid; It Has to Do With Vinicius Jr
- Karim Benzema has explained why Kylian Mbappe has struggled since his blockbuster transfer to Real Madrid
- The Frenchman reckons that Mbappe's challenges can be linked with Madrid's No.7 Vinicius Junior
- Nevertheless, he has still delivered on the pitch, scoring eight goals in 14 appearances despite his struggles
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Former Real Madrid star Karim Benzema has offered insight into why Kylian Mbappe has yet to fully dazzle in the Spanish capital.
After a highly anticipated free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain this past summer, Mbappe’s arrival brought lofty expectations, given his remarkable credentials with PSG and France.
Source: UGC
How has Mbappe performed at Real Madrid?
According to Transfermarkt, although he has contributed 10 goals (8 goals and two assists) in 14 games, his performances have felt underwhelming to some fans, especially considering the excitement surrounding his signing.
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In his first El Clasico appearance, Mbappe faced criticism.
He was flagged offside several times and missed key chances in Real Madrid's 4-0 defeat to rivals Barcelona.
The performance sparked debate, with some suggesting that the Frenchman needs time to adapt to his new environment.
Others argue that Carlo Ancelotti miscast him, deploying the former AS Monaco prodigy in roles that don’t suit his skill set.
Benzema explains Mbappe's struggles
Benzema, however, believes the issue may lie in Mbappe’s positioning.
He shared that he views Mbappe as a natural left-winger rather than a centre-forward.
Yet, he acknowledged that competing for that left-sided role in Madrid's attack is challenging, given it’s currently occupied by Vinicius Junior, whom Benzema praised as “the best in the world” in that spot.
“For me, Mbappe is not a 9. He’s a left winger,” Benzema told El Chiringuito, as cited by Fabrizio Romano.
“But the problem is that at left wing, there’s Vinicius Jr, who’s the best in the world.”
Ancelotti 'blames' Mbappe for Madrid's struggles
Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti has reportedly identified one of his star players as a key factor affecting the team's performance this season.
Los Blancos have struggled to match last season's achievements, trailing Barcelona in La Liga and facing challenges in the Champions League.
Ancelotti is said to believe that the squad's current tactical imbalance is largely due to Kylian Mbappe's limited defensive contributions.
Mbappe 'struggling' with mental health
In a previous report, Legit.ng revealed that Kylian Mbappe's move to Real Madrid has been more challenging than anticipated, impacting his mental health.
This adjustment has allegedly prompted lifestyle changes, with Mbappe attending parties more often and consuming alcohol.
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Source: YEN.com.gh
