Kylian Mbappe and Luis Enrique (Credit: X)
It has been well established that Mbappe is set to leave the French champions this summer once his contract runs out and has stated his intentions regarding the same, with speculations rife of a move to Los Blancos, Real Madrid.
Goodbyes are never easy nor sweet. The Kylian Mbappe saga as well continues to sour as PSG boss Luis Enrique took to the press stating that the French superstar will play “when I want him”.
PSG succumbed to a measly draw at home against Rennes, in a match where the Spanish boss decided to remove Mbappe from the field in the 65th minute. But his decision would come to benefit him as substitute Goncalo Ramos went on to score the added-time penalty that would give PSG a 1-1 draw.
It has been well established that Mbappe is set to leave the French champions this summer once his contract runs out and has stated his intentions regarding the same, with speculations rife of a move to Los Blancos, Real Madrid.
“It’s very simple, sooner or later, when it happens, we have to get used to playing without Kylian,” Luis Enrique told the post-match press conference.
Luis Enrique when asked why he decided to sub Kylian Mbappé off.“Sooner or later, at some point, we have to get used to playing without Kylian Mbappé”. pic.twitter.com/MBOuKSq0YS
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 25, 2024
“When I want him to play, I’ll play him, and when I don’t, same thing.”
Well, it seemed as if that rule applied to the entire frontline of PSG, including the likes of Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola, who were also substituted.
Enrique stressed on the importance of his players giving it their all at all times for the club, and stated that his decision to sub out players wasn’t a personal attack on any of them.
“It’s a message for everyone,” said Luis Enrique immediately after the game. “If you think I’m going to accept a player slacking off on the pitch, I’m not.”
Enrique better get used to the rotations, as it is imminent that he will lose his talisman forward this summer, to former rivals Real Madrid.
But, why are Real Madrid so desperate for Mbappe? Well, apart from the obvious fact that Mbappe has already etched his name amongst a pantheon of football greats at his young age with even more upside to be tapped into, they have been on the hunt for a proper classic number 9 and a goal-scorer since the departure of their Ballon d’Or winner, Karim Benzema who made his way to Saudi Arabia.
Their lack of a lethal fox-in-the-box continues to be a glaring issue despite talents such as Bellingham and Vinicius Jr. stepping up to keep Los Blancos in contention for the league title. And with injuries plaguing their ranks, the need to sign yet another Galactico seems to have taken priority.
