The PSG wears to Mbappé

Kylian Mbappé has braked dry. Some rider has jumped in the French, who is now going through a delicate moment in his career in many aspects. Bondy's has several meetings without seeing the door and in Paris they ask him to “come back”, although he has not yet left.

Tired by the accumulated of his career (he has two seasons with more than 40 games and a World Cup in 2018), how long the previous season was and how short the holidays (France suspended the League, but PSG played Champions), Kylian Mbappé started the season in the worst way: contracting Covid-19. The Frenchman was away for three weeks. He started the season with goals but warning of the situation. “We have not recharged the batteries. The feeling is that I am in the 60th game of the season and not in the ninth,” he said on October 26, 2020 when he had barely added six games between the League and the Champions League.

This chained “a month” of luxury with six goals in four games and an injury stopped him. Then, a double against Monaco and there, a barrier appeared, but mental. An obsession with the 100 goal that he assumed affected him and kept him four games without scoring. “Maybe I thought about it too much,” he acknowledged.

He broke his drought in the Champions League in the last week and, although the sensations at the level of play were not good, the goals continued. Now, neither one nor the other.

Attrition in paris

This wear at the level of performance and now productivity is making Kylian Mbappé trade lower among the French. Although he is still considered his top star, the Bondy striker is seeing his image deteriorate in recent months in Paris. His downturn and his impact on society was measured in a survey conducted by Odoxa collected by various media in France. Criticism for his game accumulates in 'El Hexágono' in the press but also at street level where they see him practically as professional but less humble (57%, 9 points less than in 2019), less charismatic and also with a lower potential to become a historical player compared to the last measurement made in November 2019. In that poll on whether he will be the best player in the world in the next few years he also falls nine points among the French in general.

Accused of egomania, although the data does not point to such a thing, where he has gone from being pampered and praised to accused of this 'selfishness' in his game. The numbers say that he never fell below 10 assists in his career and this year, he already has eight. The perception seems to have changed.

A perception that also marks its future, which generates much more division. 55% of those polled voted in favor of Kylian Mbappé's departure, while 45% preferred that he remain in Paris. The most likely destination they see is Madrid, which is already preparing for their arrival. Liverpool also appears although the French see Bondy's before in 'another club' that they do not specify. His departure is no longer understood to be beneficial for the club due to the volume of the possible transfer income, it is that France considers that it would also be good for Mbappé on a personal level. Up to 76% believe that it would be good for them to leave Paris and more than half believe that this would also help them improve for the national team. Who do they see the most harmed? To Ligue 1, which loses its last great jewel and PSG, who would see a local star emerge and also younger …

Drought with Pochettino and the burden of his possible departure

Mauricio Pochettino is not adding bad results and has won up to a title (Super Cup) since his arrival in Paris but, with Kylian Mbappé, he has experienced his first disagreement before being changed than a first goal. The Bondy striker was slowed down in 2021 without scoring against Saint-Éttiene (1-1), Stade Brestois (3-0) and Angers (0-1) in the League or against Marseille (2-1) in the Super Cup . His frustration is palpable and his level is somewhat far from what was expected.

In Paris they wonder if it is a definitive stagnation or a simple stoppage and they try to unravel the reasons. The player himself has been pointing to fatigue for a long time but, it is worth noting the market and the weight of criticism. At the club, both his coach, through Cadena SER, and his second, Jesús Pérez, from the press room, defend him with knowledge of his talent. “He trains well and we are happy with his commitment,” he said.. Criticism and his defenses in line when, as Pérez recalled, he is the league's top scorer. The best, despite everything.

The decision he will face this summer, which he has been talking about for years and which will mark his career, is also pointed out as a mental slab to return to his best level. In Paris he has experienced success and has made history. It has been a great stage but since his arrival it never seemed like a marriage forever. Madrid is their dream (photos on the walls, Cristiano as an idol …) and the whites have spent years preparing their landing, taking care of both the coffers and inter-capital relations. Liverpool also appears as an attractive destination and France seems to lose integers, although it is not ruled out.

Leonardo, sports director of the blues and reds, left the door ajar understanding that its sale (for about 200 million) is a necessary evil in search of completing the possible Messi operation. His name appears in all the rumors and also, those who could come to replace him. Kylian, until the end of the season, is his forward and does not give up but they demand that he perform again. Nothing like goals to improve your image before deciding your future.