PSG broke three key promises to Kylian Mbappe
Robin Bairner
- 12 Oct 2022 04:00 BST
- 3 min read
Kylian Mbappe has made it clear that he wants to leave PSG, with the World Cup winning attacker pushing to leave during the January transfer window.
Mbappe only signed a new two-year deal with the Parc des Princes club in May, at which time it was joked that PSG had allowed him the job of sporting director in order to fend off a bid from Real Madrid, who had expected to sign him as a free agent in the summer.
Those claims of Mbappe’s influence were exaggerated, but there was a kernel of truth in them. PSG had made a succession of promises to the France international that were made in order for him to stay at the club.
Three key pledges that they made have been broken, leading to the 23-year-old’s unhappiness at the club.
More on Mbappe...
That he would not play as a No.9
Mbappe’s unhappiness at PSG was made clear on Saturday following a 0-0 Ligue 1 draw against Reims. After the match, he took to Instagram and posted a message with ‘#PivotCrew’. He was referring here to the position he was asked to play by head coach Christophe Galtier, who has fielded him at the forefront of a 3-4-2-1 system this season.
Mbappe wishes to play as one of the ‘2’, where he feels that Neymar and Lionel Messi are given more of a chance to shine.
Indeed, he was told a striker would be signed in the summer to fulfil this function.
Neymar would be sold
The Brazil international came into this campaign off the back of arguably the worst season of his career, and Mbappe had enough of the Brazilian. This showed in August, when they had a public spat over who should take a penalty.
Even though Neymar has hit his straps impressively this season, leading Ligue 1 in both goals and assists, the PSG striker believes he is occupying the position that he should be playing.
A centre-back would be signed
At the other end of the field, Mbappe has concerns over PSG’s depth in central defence. If the Parisians are missing any of their frontline three centre-backs, they are forced to draft in Danilo to play one of the roles. As a defensive midfielder by trade, this is clearly not ideal.
PSG notably chased Milan Skrianiar in that summer but were unwilling to match Benfica’s asking price as they cut back on their summer spending.
