Real Madrid News
French legend points out Real Madrid superstar’s weaknesses in current role – ‘Hasn’t learned it’
Kylian Mbappe is in red-hot form for Real Madrid and only a refereeing scandal saw him record a goalless night against Mallorca in the team’s last outing.
As last season’s Pichichi winner, the Frenchman has a big crown to defend, but going by his current form, it does not appear he will have much competition.
After all, he has taken over as Real Madrid’s chief goalscorer and is now often positioned as the central striker by Xabi Alonso as was the case under Carlo Ancelotti last season.
French legend opens up
Speaking to the media in a recent interview, former French international Jean-Pierre Papin opened up on Kylian Mbappe playing as a striker and how the role was not a natural fit for him.
“Mbappe has the qualities to be a great No. 9. Last year he arrived at a new club, he had a hard time adapting and, in spite of everything, he scored a lot of goals,” he began, giving Mbappe credit for his adaptation.
“I don’t think he will ever be a ‘nine’ in the penalty area. You either have it or you don’t. His main quality is speed and depth,” he added, listing out why he felt Mbappe would never flourish as a pure striker.
Elaborating on the same topic, he went on to speak on how the Frenchman lacked the box presence to be a poacher in front of the goal.
“He doesn’t have the ability to stop and stay where he needs to be, between the penalty spot and the six-meter line. He hasn’t learned it.”
An accomplished forward himself, Papin then went on to remember his days as a player and how he had to go through a learning curve to become the striker he was.
“When I arrived in Milan, I didn’t play with my back to the goal. Capello would pull me aside, put one or two defenders behind my back to force me to play as a pivot, passing.”
“Later, at Girondins de Bordeaux, [Rolland] Courbis noticed these changes. You can always learn. As long as you want to learn,” he added, insisting that Mbappe could up his game.
Finally, the French legend opened up on one more reason he does not see the player as a striker.
“The other weak point he still has is his headers. He doesn’t like aerial contact, it’s obvious,” he concluded.
Source: Mundo Deportivo
Real Madrid youngster Endrick continues to attract interest from several clubs ahead of another potential loan move in the upcoming January transfer window.
The latest side considering a move for the Brazilian forward is Aston Villa.
Indeed, according to reports relayed by Bernabeu Digital, the Premier League club are interested in signing the Real Madrid striker on loan in January.
No minutes for Endrick
Endrick has had very limited opportunities under Jose Mourinho this season. Across Real Madrid’s nine matches in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, the Brazilian has played just four minutes, coming on in the 86th minute against Elche.
Such limited playing time has left the young forward struggling to gain the minutes and experience needed to develop his talent at Real Madrid.
As such, another loan move, like last January when he left for Olympique Lyon, could offer him a chance to play more regularly and continue his progression.
Aston Villa, managed by Unai Emery, have now emerged as an interested party to acquire the Brazilian international’s services on loan for the second half of the season.
AC Milan also interested in Endrick
Howver, Aston Villa are not the only club monitoring Endrick’s situation. AC Milan have also renewed their interest in the Brazilian forward.
The Rossoneri already held an interest in the 20-year-old forward during the summer transfer window and are knocking on the doors once again now.
In fact, some reports in Italy even go on to suggest that the youngster is ready to pounce on the opportunity to sign for the Serie A giants.
For now, however, there have been no concrete developments or formal approaches from any interested club.
Real Madrid are understood to be open to allowing Endrick to leave on loan, but they are not considering a permanent sale as they still have a lot of faith in the promising attacker whom they signed from Palmeiras.
With Aston Villa and AC Milan both interested, the coming months could prove important in determining where the young Brazilian will continue his development.
