Real Madrid ignored reports they had received suggesting Kylian Mbappe's physical performance was declining before the Frenchman joined the club this summer, according to reports.
Mbappe became one of the world's best goalscorers at PSG, seeing out his contract before leaving on a free at the end of last season to secure a dream move to Madrid.
However, that dream is quickly turning into a nightmare, with the superstar failing to replicate his world-class form so far, which in turn frustrates Madrid supporters and his teammates.
In another disappointing performance earlier this week, Mbappe missed a penalty for Madrid and was easily picked up by defenders as Liverpool dominated the Champions League match to record a 2-0 win.
Mbappe's results have come under scrutiny as the club looks for a reason why he is struggling to fit into a team full of serial title winners. The statistics show that the 25-year-old runs less fast than all his teammates.
Through Madrid's first five Champions League games, the Les Blues captain has run just 39km, averaging less than 9km per match, while the likes of Jude Bellingham consistently run more than 10km every 90 minutes.
But Madrid were warned that Mbappe's physical performance figures had declined since he won the World Cup with France in 2018 as pre-signing reports highlighted major issues, as reported by Relevo.
The reigning Champions League holders were given detailed figures on Mbappe's average distance covered, high-intensity effort and sustained sprint speed, among other things, but opted to sign the forward anyway.
Mbappe's global status and the opportunity to sign him as a free agent convinced Madrid that their investment was worthwhile, with demand for replica shirts with his name on the back becoming the club's bestseller.
Now Los Blancos' leaders are looking to quickly help him find form on the pitch in a team packed with strikers looking to play in the same position.
Mbappé prefers to play on the left wing, but is second fiddle to Vinicius Jr. in that role, meaning he is often sent to the central striker position and struggles to communicate with his teammates when isolated up front.
His arrival also coincided with Bellingham making a torrid start to his second season at the club, with Ancelotti now playing the Englishman at a deeper midfield position to accommodate Mbappe.
Bellingham played a starring role in his debut season at the club, scoring 23 goals and playing a crucial role in Madrid's Champions League victory.
The Three Lions star has scored just twice in 15 appearances so far this season and has occasionally been seen in frustrated exchanges with Mbappe during matches.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti has deployed Mbappe both as a striker and on his preferred left wing in the absence of Vinicius Jnr, one of the club's many current injured players.
The Italian is trying to guide his side through one of their most difficult periods in recent times and is trying to rely on Mbappe to score the goals Madrid thought they would get.
However, despite his slow start in Spain, Madrid legend Gareth Bale believes Mbappe will eventually come good at the club and win major honors at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Speaking to TNT Sports after Madrid's latest defeat at Anfield, Bale said: 'He [Mbappe] is the best in the world and it's only a matter of time before he proves it.'