Didier Deschamps defends Kylian Mbappe amid striker role & leadership criticism ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026

Mbappe will be aiming to take France to their third consecutive World Cup final.

France manager Didier Deschamps has come in support of Kylian Mbappe’s playing position on the pitch & leadership role, saying that the forward has been operating as a striker for the past few years.

Kylian Mbappe’s role drastically changed during his last season at PSG, when he was shifted to the No.9 role under Luis Enrique, and when he arrived at Real Madrid, he continued to fulfil that role.

Mbappe has continued to accumulate many goals, and last season he finished as the top scorer both in the Champions League and LaLiga.

Meanwhile, the Real Madrid star has now also been employed as a centre-forward for France, with Dembele, Michael Olise and Desire Doue playing in behind.

Deschamps talks about Kylian Mbappe’s position on the field & leadership role

Following their last warm-up game against Northern Ireland, Les Bleus’ head coach was asked about Mbappe, and he said:

“Kylian Mbappé, who is our captain today, before becoming captain, listened, he, observed.He doesn’t do things like Hugo Lloris, he doesn’t have the same character or personality. He assumes leadership off the field and on it.He knows that when he speaks, he does it for all the players and not just himself.Playing Kylian Mbappé as a center-forward?I must be stupid, and there must have been a lot of stupid people among the coaches he’s had, for them to play him at center-forward.He played there in the last 2 years at Real Madrid and in his last year at PSG. He’s been playing in a central position for 3 years now.”

Many feel that Mbappe is more threatening when he operates on the left wing, as the forward is more direct and can turn the game around on his own.

However, despite switching the position, Mbappe has continued to remain a potent goalscorer, and it basically confirmed that he will play as a striker in the World Cup 2026.

France have now wrapped up their last warm-up match, and they will start their World Cup campaign against Senegal as the 2022 finalist and once again be looking to make a deep run in the tournament, hoping to secure the trophy this time.

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