‘You’ll maybe say I’m crazy… ’ – Deschamps justifies Mbappé positioning

One of the most important debates within the French national team in recent months has become irrelevant lately. Kylian Mbappé (25) often plays through the middle Les Bleusbut he has not been on the field at all during the last two international breaks.

He was reluctantly part of the camp in September, but due to his fitness he was left out of the squad in October. But given that the former Paris Saint-Germain striker played in Real Madrid's last match before the international break, this official line has been disputed.

A recall was expected this month, but it failed to materialize. Deschamps stated that it was a one-off decision, adding that it had nothing to do with non-sporting matters, a reference to reports that the France captain is the subject of ongoing proceedings. investigation into rape in Sweden, where he was on holiday during the last international break.

When Mbappe returns to the pitch, likely during the next international break in March, the question of his positioning on the pitch will become relevant again. Lately he has been played centrally for both club and country. That repositioning has coincided with a decline in form at an individual level, with Thierry Henry notably stating that the Real Madrid striker lacks the instincts of a number 9.

However, Deschamps has defended his decision to play Mbappe at centre-back, noting that Luis Enrique at PSG and Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid made the same decision. “You may say I'm crazy for putting Mbappe as a centre-forward, but his last two managers at international level have done the same,” he told Téléfoot.

He added: “He obviously doesn't have the same profile as Olivier Giroud, so it all depends on which team we face.”

GFFN | Luke Entwistle