Carlo Ancelotti has piled on the praise for Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe, claiming the Frenchman is ‘a different player’ after missing international duty.
Mbappe has had a whirlwind few weeks which began with turning down the call-up for international duty to focus on his recovery from a hamstring injury, which did not go down too well in France.
This was then followed by a rape allegation made against the Real Madrid player in Stockholm, which took place at the hotel where he was staying over the international break, one which he strenuously denies.
He had been linked to the incident by the Swedish media, despite no names being officially connected to the case, with the player and his legal representatives dismissing the allegation as ‘slanderous’.
Earlier this week, reports then emerged that Real Madrid ‘regret’ signing the player amid fears they had made a ‘mistake’, however his manager was quick to play down any potential ramifications of the controversy.
Carlo Ancelotti has claimed that Kylian Mbappe has returned to Real Madrid as ‘a different player’
Mbappe rejected the call up from France to focus on recovering from a hamstring injury
French captain Mbappe is facing an accusation of rape at the Bank hotel in Stockholm last week
‘The rest days were scheduled for him and then everyone chooses what they want to do,’ Ancelotti said, when asked whether Mbappe’s trip to the Swedish capital had been sanctioned.
‘I went to London for two days and I haven’t asked anyone’s permission. I also don’t have a travel agency to organise the players’ trips.’
‘I talk to the players every day. I can comment on what I said before, which at this point is speculation. I don’t see him affected at all, [and instead] with a lot of enthusiasm to contribute to the team.
‘He’s taken advantage of the break to improve his condition. He’s very well, happy, and looking forward to returning tomorrow and being important for the team. These 15 days have helped him a lot, because he is a different player to what he was before the break.
‘On a tactical level, his position does not change from how he has played in recent games. He can vary his position on the left wing with Vinicius, but we have been focused on physical work. This break has been good for him and I see him very well.’
Mbappe has thus far made short shrift of adapting to life in the Spanish capital, with seven goals and an assist in 11 games.
Given the calibre of player, so might have expected more, and there had been some concerns over his performance levels, though the pressure is famously that much higher at Los Blancos.
Mbappe is claimed to have hosted ‘private parties’ at the exclusive V nightclub in Stockholm, on the night of the alleged rape. He flew in on a private jet on Wednesday October 9 before checking in to the swanky Bank hotel.
Didier Deschamps’ side went without their captain for the last international break but still managed wins over Israel and Belgium
Despite scoring seven goals in 11 games he is apparently not at the level they anticipated
The V is located on the second floor of Sturecompagniet, Stockholm’s largest and most prestigious nightclubs, according to the Visit Stockholm website
Rooms at the independent boutique hotel start at around £400 a night with a town suite costing an eye-popping £900 a night.
Swedish prosecutors confirmed on Monday that according to a ‘criminal report’ an incident took place on October 10 at the Bank hotel.
On Monday, Mbappe blasted a report from Aftonbladet as ‘fake news’ about an alleged rape at the Bank Hotel on Thursday last week. However, Swedish newspaper Expressen later claimed it is Mbappe who is being investigated by police. He denies the allegation.
His lawyers insist Mbappe is bewildered by the accusations that he continues to strongly refute.
‘We’re talking about a complaint being lodged, and at this time we don’t know against whom,’ said Marie-Alix Canu-Bernard, speaking on French TV’s TF1. ‘A complaint doesn’t reveal anything.
‘Mbappe is never alone. He is never alone, so he would be exposed to a situation where he would be taking a risk. That totally rules out any wrongdoing. It’s an absolute certainty.
‘He’s particularly serene, but he’s flabbergasted by all the media hype. He has no idea what he’s being accused of. If there is an investigation, he will submit to Swedish justice. But he is calm because he has nothing to reproach himself for.’
Meanwhile, on Monday, Mbappe’s entourage had told AFP in a statement: ‘Today, a new slanderous rumour is starting to spread across the web from the Swedish media Aftonbladet.
The player has since returned to training with his Real Madrid team-mates after the end of the international window
‘These accusations are completely false and irresponsible, and their propagation is unacceptable.
‘In order to put an end to this methodical destruction of (the) image (of Kylian Mbappe), all necessary legal actions will be taken to re-establish the truth and pursue any person or media involved in the moral harassment and defamatory treatment that Kylian Mbappe is suffering repeatedly,’ the statement added.
Investigators and a forensic unit were at the alleged crime scene on Monday, according to Aftonbladet.
The newspaper reported that the alarm over the alleged rape was raised when the woman ‘sought care’ at a local hospital.
Mbappe left Sweden’s Bromma airport in a private jet on Friday.
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