When Kylian Mbappé arrived at Real Madrid last summer, it was supposed to be the beginning of a new era. The French superstar, widely regarded as one of the best players in the world, was expected to take the Spanish giants to new heights. However, things haven’t quite gone according to plan.
A Disappointing Start
Mbappé’s first few months at Real Madrid have been marked by inconsistency and frustration. In his last eight games, the striker has scored a meager one goal, a far cry from the prolific form he displayed at Paris Saint-Germain.
The numbers paint a stark picture. Mbappé has taken 57 shots in LaLiga this season, more than any other player, but has only found the back of the net seven times. His conversion rate of 12.3% ranks him a lowly 48th among forwards in the Spanish top flight.
Struggles in Front of Goal
One of the most glaring issues has been Mbappé’s finishing. Despite getting into good positions, he has struggled to convert chances at the same rate as his peers. His xG (expected goals) in LaLiga is 8.83, suggesting he should have scored nearly two more goals than he has.
“It’s just a matter of time,” Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said of Mbappé’s goal-scoring woes. But as the weeks go by, the pressure continues to mount.
Questions About Contribution
Mbappé’s struggles extend beyond just putting the ball in the net. There have been concerns about his overall contribution to the team, particularly when Real Madrid are out of possession.
The Frenchman has made just one tackle in 12 LaLiga games, and his defensive interventions pale in comparison to other forwards in the league. His apparent lack of effort in tracking back has drawn criticism from fans and pundits alike.
- Mbappé has made only 18 total defensive interventions in LaLiga, ranking 78th among forwards
- He has won only 3 aerial duels despite his athletic prowess
- Mbappé has spent 76% of his time on the pitch walking or jogging
A Positional Shift
In an attempt to jumpstart Mbappé’s form, Ancelotti made a tactical adjustment against Leganés, shifting the Frenchman to the left wing with Vinícius Júnior through the middle. The move paid off, with Mbappé scoring his first goal in four games.
While it remains to be seen if this positional change will be a long-term solution, it does offer a glimmer of hope. Mbappé has historically done his best work cutting in from the left, and a fruitful partnership with Vinícius could be key to unlocking his potential at Real Madrid.
The Road Ahead
As Real Madrid prepare for a crucial Champions League clash against Liverpool, all eyes will be on Mbappé. The Frenchman has the talent to be the difference-maker in big games, but he will need to rediscover his scoring touch and silence the doubters.
“What I want to do is play well, help the team and score goals,” Mbappé said after the Leganés game. For the sake of his own legacy and Real Madrid’s season, he will need to start doing just that.
The coming weeks will be a defining period for Kylian Mbappé. If he can recapture the form that made him one of the most feared forwards in world football, the sky is the limit for both player and club. But if his struggles continue, the dream move to Real Madrid could quickly turn into a nightmare.
