May 21: an extension that should put it in the center of the project
Almost five months ago, the questions about the future of Kylian Mbappé were all rejected by Nasser al-Khelaïfi, the president of PSG. “He believes in our project, he will write a lot of history at PSG”said the leader on May 21, once the extension of the star until 2025 is completed. The management of PSG will therefore place Mbappé at the center of its sports project.
In June, Luis Campos explored the tracks of Lewandowski and Scamacca
The leaders of Paris know it, Kylian Mbappé is better with a top striker. In Monaco, his duet with Falcao allowed him to reveal himself to the eyes of Europe and begin his ascent to the highest level. In the French team, the healing role occupied by Olivier Giroud or the presence of Karim Benzema gives Mbappé greater freedom.
Falcao-Mbappé, a duo that performed in Monaco. (A. Martin/The Team)
Luis Campos, PSG sports advisor, was active before the summer transfer window to meet the needs of the prodigy. In June, Luis Campos made Robert Lewandowski his priority. Second in the Ballon d’Or 2021, the Pole came off a season with 50 goals in all competitions for Bayern. But Barça’s interest has also been expressed. At the same time, Gianluca Scamacca was in small roles on the Parisian board. After scoring 16 goals in 36 games in Serie A with Sassuolo, the Italian enjoyed a high rating among the leaders, who believed in his potential.
In July, disappointment
In the fight with Barça, PSG seemed to have a head start with Barça in the Lewandowski file, but the Bavarian finally signed in Catalonia on July 19. On the side of Scamacca, the demands of Sassuolo are too high for Paris. The club claimed 50 million euros, enough to cool PSG, who put the file on stand-by. The striker finally joined West Ham on July 27 for 36 million euros.
On September 5, Mbappé remained mysterious in the Paris project
Asked the day before the match against Juventus in the Champions League (2-1) to know if the project that the club sold him corresponds to reality four months ago, Mbappé spoke to the microphone of Canal +. “This is not the place or the time and I am not the best person to answer that question. We are here to talk about a match in the Champions League. » The player’s entourage remained silent.
On September 23, a tackle against Galtier
It’s supposed to be a simple League of Nations game. But at the end of the meeting between the Blues and Austria (2-0), Mbappé took advantage of his post-match outing to compare his situation with the France team and PSG. “I have more freedom here, the coach knows that there is a number 9 like Olivier (Giroud) occupying defenses, I can walk, go into space, ask for balls. In Paris it was different, there was nothing, I was asked to do the pivot. I am very happy with the game tonight. More fun with the France team? No, I’m happy everywhere! »
These feelings spoke directly to Christophe Galtier, as PSG remained unbeaten in the Champions League and the Championship. Wanting to use Messi, Neymar and Mbappé together in a 3-4-1-2, the former LOSC coach has no fixation point in the attack. If the Argentinian and the Brazilian take too much in succession, the Frenchman should remain in front to make the Parisian collective more fluid.
October 8 and the “pivot gate”
Last weekend, it was confirmed the beginning of the breakdown of the atmosphere inside the Paris locker room. After more than 45 minutes spent in ten against eleven following the absence of Sergio Ramos, Paris could not find a solution against Reims and got a draw (0-0). Without Neymar or Messi, Kylian Mbappé, suffering from angina, remains cautious. Alone in front with Pablo Sarabia, he once again had an amazing outing on Instagram at the end of the match. A story where Mbappé plays in “#Icicestparis. #pivotgang”.
On October 11, the desire to leave was formal
Not happy with his situation at PSG, Kylian Mbappé wants to leave PSG in January. A few months after a long soap opera that brought him closer to Real Madrid every day before finally expected by PSG. The next episode is just beginning.