Kylian Mbappe is arguably the best footballer in the world. The Frenchman’s obliterating pace and his lethal finishing abilities make him the most coveted footballer in the world. However, plying his trade in Ligue 1 has cast a massive shadow on his trophy cabinet and the validity of his performances.
But that doesn’t look like it will be prolonged anymore as he is on the verge of leaving Paris St. Germain this summer and potentially signing for Real Madrid. After months of speculation, if not years, Kylian Mbappe finally seems to be headed to the capital city of Spain.
However, this Real Madrid team is loaded as it is. There is no shortage of attacking threats, but they do lack a bonafide forward who can get them thirty or more goals a season (respectfully, Joselu is not that guy).
And at the same time, they are set on the left wing with the flamboyant yet effective Vinicius Jr. On the other side, the place is up for grabs with the likes of Rodrygo, Brahim Diaz, Arda Guler, and others vying for that spot whilst also competing to start down the middle alongside Joselu.
So, in theory, Kylian Mbappe is supposed to sign for Real Madrid on a free transfer. Albeit with an astronomical signing bonus and wages, and slot into the team as a striker. If that is the case, then Real Madrid is in for a harsh reality check because the swashbuckling forward is not a striker and will possibly never be one.
Which position does Kylian Mbappe play?
Kylian Mbappe for the better part of 2 years has now played through the middle for PSG. However, you must take this not with a pinch of salt. But a whole bag because this season while he has lined up through the middle, the mercurial talent often drifts out wide as evidenced by the heat map below. This is the heat map of Mbappe in Ligue 1 this season.
Image Credit: SofaScore
This has often been the case with Mbappe akin to how Cristiano Ronaldo was post-2014 at Real Madrid. They would start the game wide. Most of their actions would come on the left flank, combining with the left back. However, when the ball is on the right flank. Both would come centrally and get in the box, hoping to get on the end of the crosses.
Moreover, they work best with another striker alongside them. For Ronaldo, it was Karim Benzema. For Mbappe it is either Randal Kolo Muani or Goncalo Ramos at PSG. This allows them to essentially play off that striker. Not be the focal point of the opposing defence, thereby allowing them to drift out wide and use their striker partners as decoys almost.
Can the Frenchman play on the right-wing?
But Kylian Mbappe, once again like Cristiano Ronaldo, is versatile enough to play on the right flank as well. The Frenchman rose through the ranks at AS Monaco playing on the right flank. During the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Mbappe wreaked havoc after being deployed on that flank as exhibited by the heat map below.
Image Credit: SofaScore
Which then begs the question – how does Kylian Mbappe fit at Real Madrid? The answer to that question will most likely come down to the coach in charge of the Los Blancos with Ancelotti’s future still uncertain as it is every year.
With that said, there is a reason Kylian Mbappe is considered the heir to Cristiano Ronaldo’s throne. And that is the perfect case study for the Frenchmen. Ronaldo and Benzema would constantly switch flanks and figure out ways to unlock the opposing defence. Ronaldo also constantly took up space on the right flank.
Even after the arrival of Gareth Bale, both were quite comfortable switching flanks. There is no reason Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. cannot replicate those two.
Image Credit: Depositphotos
