Why Kylian Mbappe will not be happy with Joselu’s departure from Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappé might not be at all happy with Joselu leaving Real Madrid. The veteran striker departed Los Blancos last week after a year on loan from Espanyol and signed for Qatari side Al Gharafa. This move leaves Real Madrid without a traditional number 9, posing a significant challenge for newly arrived forward Kylian Mbappé, who will now have to adapt to playing as a center-forward next season.

Joselu’s Departure and Its Impact

Joselu’s departure means Real Madrid is left without a classic center-forward, a role that Mbappé has historically shown reluctance to embrace. The situation forces Mbappé into a position where he may not be able to fully utilize his strengths, such as his speed and dribbling on the left wing, to the same extent. This tactical shift could impact Real Madrid’s attacking dynamics significantly. Although Brazilian prodigy Endrick is joining Real this month, his profile is not that of a traditional number 9 that a winger can play off of.

Revisiting the 2022 Controversy

To understand the gravity of this situation, we cast our minds back to 2022, when there was major controversy in France regarding Mbappé’s preferred position. In October 2022, following PSG’s 0-0 draw with Reims, Mbappé posted a now-deleted Instagram story with the hashtag “pivot gang.”

Kylian Mbappe posted a photo of him on his Instagram story with the ‘pivot gang’ caption

This post highlighted his frustration with being deployed as a center-forward, a position he evidently disliked. Mbappé had expressed a preference for playing alongside a target man, such as Olivier Giroud, rather than leading the line himself.

During that match, despite Mbappé’s presence as the central striker, PSG failed to score, emphasizing his discomfort and inefficacy in that role. The controversy didn’t stop there. Former French international Emmanuel Petit criticized Mbappé’s attitude, saying, “I find him out of touch in his communication. He annoys everyone today. He makes it personal all the time. He even puts himself above the institution. I just want to tell him: Kylian, grow up.”

Mbappé’s Preferred Role

There is no doubt that Kylian Mbappé thrives on the left wing, where he can use his speed and dribbling skills to get past full-backs and cut into the box. This role allows him to exploit his most prolific attributes, creating scoring opportunities either for himself or his teammates. As a center-forward, however, these skills are more restricted, potentially limiting his effectiveness on the field. In the national team for instance, there has been a substantial increase in productivity with Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappe playing together. The two stared immensely in Les Bleus run to the 2022 FIFA World Cup glory. Although Giroud scored no goals throughout the competition, his link-up with Kylian Mbappe was excellent.

The Road Ahead

Real Madrid’s tactical flexibility will be put to the test in the upcoming season. The club will need to find a way to accommodate Mbappé’s strengths while addressing the gap left by Joselu’s departure. Whether through strategic formations or bringing in new players to share the offensive load, the challenge lies in ensuring Mbappé can perform at his best, even if it means stepping out of his comfort zone.

Mbappé’s ability to adapt will be crucial. His previous aversion to the center-forward role is well-documented, but with Real Madrid’s current roster, he might have no choice but to evolve his game. The upcoming season will not only test his versatility but also his maturity and willingness to embrace new challenges for the benefit of the team.