Kylian Mbappe is ‘problematic’, has an ‘oversized ego’ and needs to be taken OFF set-pieces, according to Jerome Rothen as ex-France and PSG winger tears into 22-year-old star’s slow start to Euro 2020 campaign
Kylian Mbappe’s ‘oversized ego’ has become ‘problematic’ for Didier Deschamps and France at Euro 2020, according to Jerome Rothen.
The 22-year-old forward has yet to score in the tournament, although he did have a strike against Germany in their Group F opener ruled out for offside.
The Paris Saint-Germain striker was also involved in a pre-tournament feud with fellow France forward Olivier Giroud.
Kylian Mbappe’s ‘oversized ego’ has become ‘problematic’ for France at Euro 2020, according to Jerome Rothen
The Paris Saint-Germain striker was also involved in a pre-tournament feud with fellow France forward Olivier Giroud (right)
Mbappe admitted he was ‘a little affected’ by the Chelsea star’s suggestion he was not getting the service he deserved from his team-mates in a friendly against Bulgaria earlier this month.
But former PSG and France winger Rothen insists the issue of his ego has now become so great that Les Bleus boss Didier Deschamps cannot control it, and admits no one can be ‘satisfied’ with his performances at the Euros so far.
‘That he is the leader on the pitch, no problem… that it [his ego] goes off the field too, that bothers me,’ Rothen told French outlet RMC Sport.
Rothen (right) insists he is bothered by the fact that Mbappe’s ego goes off the field too
‘I think Didier Deschamps can no longer manage it and it is problematic. It is even surprising that he lets Kylian Mbappe do so many things.
‘It can be seen in his performances on the pitch. Today, we cannot say that Kylian Mbappé has had a successful Euros.
‘Is he in the right like he was at PSG throughout the end of the season? I would say no,’ he continued.
‘We expect much better from Kylian Mbappe. Everyone thinks that Mbappe is one of the best players in Europe. But if you immediately put him in the category of the very best, you cannot be satisfied.’
He also claimed that Les Bleus boss Didier Deschamps can no longer control the PSG star’s ego
The 43-year-old also insisted Mbappe must be taken off set pieces beginning with their last-16 clash against Switzerland on Monday, because he does not possess the ‘class’ of Paul Pogba or Antoine Griezmann in such situations.
Rothen added: ‘Is he aware that he does not have the class of some of the others in the group on set pieces?
‘Maybe he scores them in training. But I watch all of Mbappe’s matches. Do you remember a magnificent free kick? From 25 metres?
‘On the other hand, I remember one from Griezmann, from Pogba. That’s two already, a left footer and a right footer. So what is he doing there?’
Rother urged Antoine Griezmann (left) or Paul Pogba (right) to be put on set pieces instead