Mbappe: What Has Happened To PSG’S Superstar

Written by on December 2, 2020

While his goal output may still be high in Ligue 1 this season, Mbappe has struggled for form in the Champions League.

Remarkably, it has been close to a year since the 21-year-old netted in the Champions League.

His last goal in the competition arrived in a 5-0 win against Galatasaray. Five assists have followed since, yet more is expected of the man predicted to be a superstar for the next generation.

Mbappe, though, has been playing games at a relentless pace for years now. Since making his debut, he has already played 234 matches for club and country.

There has, of course, been a hangover. In Ligue 1 he has scored nine times and created five more in eight games but against stronger opponents like Manchester United and RB Leipzig, he has been mute.

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Moreover, the relentlessly high level that fans are used to seeing from him has briefly vanished. It was surprising, for instance, to see him miss chances in Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Bordeaux.

Thomas Tuchel has even resorted to pulling Mbappe out of domestic games early in a bid to preserve him. He has only played the full 90 minutes in Ligue 1 three times this season.

There promises to be no relent before Christmas. PSG face Manchester United, while their league position will have to be carefully managed.

If PSG’s long-term aim is to retain the superstar, their goal must be to get him back to full capacity. A lack of depth may mean that it is some months before we see Mbappe at his best once more.

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