Kylian Mbappé (24) has been Paris Saint-Germain’s main source of goals this season with a total of seven over six outings, yet L’Équipe report that the Frenchman is yet to reach 100% fitness this season. Les Bleus’s captain returned for PSG against Clermont following an injury suffered in Le Classique, but his entourage have reportedly said he has not been at his peak physically for the start of the season due to his time in the ‘loft’ during pre-season.
L’Équipe report that his time spent separated from training with PSG’s main squad has impacted his ability to recover between matches, which is vital for the Frenchman’s ‘explosiveness’ within games. As a quick reminder, Mbappé spent pre-season training with PSG’s transfer-listed ‘undesirebles’, owing to a contractual stand-off with the French capital club.
It is also reported that some medical examinations have revealed that many of PSG’s ‘lofted’ players had some physical deficiencies on arrival at their respective new clubs. However, in the case of Mbappé, he is currently paying for three weeks without rhythm – yet his entourage say that with every match played he will eventually reach his maximum intensity.
Mbappé is also being asked to play a slightly different role than last season: without the creative impetus of Lionel Messi and Neymar, Mbappé has become the central figure for PSG’s creative attacking force. This has meant that he drops often to fill the ‘playmaker’ role left by the departure of Neymar. It is a burden that the France captain wouldn’t mind, but one that is physically demanding nonetheless in the context of his lack of pre-season.
PSG and Mbappé will travel to Newcastle for their second Champions League group match on Wednesday evening.
GFFN | George Boxall
