Kylian Mbappe might be lighting up the scoresheet, but not everyone is clapping. Despite scoring twice and setting up two more in France’s Nations League matches against Germany and Spain, former French winger Jerome Rothen isn’t impressed.
The ex-PSG and Monaco star believes there’s one key area where Mbappe is falling short — and it’s not about goals.
Mbappe led the French attack in their Nations League Final Four matches against Spain and Germany.
He scored a penalty and assisted once in the semi-final loss to Spain, and then followed it up with another goal and assist in the third-place win over Germany.
On paper, it looks like a job well done. But Rothen, speaking on his show Rothen s’enflamme on RMC, had a different view.
“When the team is suffering, he disappears far too much for an attacking leader,” Rothen said bluntly.
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Rothen gives advise to Mbappe
Rothen pointed out that Mbappe, once known for his creativity, is no longer the same player when it comes to build-up play.
He accused the Real Madrid star of making too many technical mistakes and not doing enough when France are under pressure.
“Did you see the technical errors, in the transmission between the midfield and the attack?” Rothen asked. “When he has the ball at a standstill, he can’t really eliminate and he wastes a lot.”
He also criticized Mbappe’s shift from a winger to a central forward, suggesting the switch comes from his drop in creative influence.
“I think that Kylian Mbappe, who was creative at one time, is no longer at all today… he doesn’t make enough effort when he plays on the wing.”
Rothen didn’t hold back on his expectations either: “For Kylian Mbappe, who proclaims himself the best player in the world of football, you have to be much more efficient, my friend.”
Back at club level, Mbappe will return to Real Madrid, where new manager Xabi Alonso will be counting on his star man to lead the line in the upcoming Club World Cup.
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