‘Spectacular and frustrating’ – Kylian Mbappe’s PSG form causes concern before Newcastle visit
Newcastle United are preparing to welcome arguably the best player in world football, Kylian Mbappe, to St James’ Park in the Champions League
As Paris Saint-Germain prepare to jet into Tyneside with their star man in tow, back home the French media are questioning Kylian Mbappe and his form so far this season.
It’s hard to believe the World Cup winner could become a target of his country’s media given he currently leads the way in the Ligue 1 scoring charts and found the net in PSG’s opening Champions League game against Borussia Dortmund. Yet after Saturday’s 0-0 stalemate with Clermont Foot, it seems Mbappe is being made the scapegoat by some.
L’Equipe, France’s biggest publication, wrote on Monday: “Efficient, messy, spectacular and frustrating: Kylian Mbappe’s start to the season covers several realities. Two days before PSG’s trip to Newcastle, his case raises questions.”
L’Equipe journalists Hugo Delom and Arnaud Hermant go on to claim Mbappe’s eight goals in just seven games this term have masked his below-par performances. PSG, who are now without Neymar and Lionel Messi, have won just three of their seven league games and struggled to break down a team sat second-bottom over the weekend.
There are concerns over Mbappe’s fitness too. After missing PSG’s pre-season tour of Japan as he debated leaving the club, the 24-year-old picked up an ankle injury in the win against Marseille last weekend, forcing him to miss a number of training sessions just last week.
However, Mbappe played a full 90 minutes on Saturday and has been included in Luis Enrique’s star-studded squad for the trip to Newcastle. The expectation is that he will line up on the left of PSG’s front three, taking on Kieran Trippier in a mouthwatering match-up at St James’ Park.
“Kylian Mbappe is probably the best player in the world,” Jamaal Lascelles told Chronicle Live over the weekend. “We just need to be professional and that’s what we are. It’s just about getting the job done.”
Can Newcastle take advantage of a PSG side struggling to find their best form? Eddie Howe will not be taking the opposition’s recent run of results lightly.
PSG’s full squad for Newcastle clash:
- Keylor Navas
- Achraf Hakimi
- Manuel Ugarte
- Marquinhos
- Kylian Mbappé
- Fabian Ruiz
- Gonçalo Ramos
- Ousmane Dembélé
- Danilo Pereira
- Vitinha
- Lucas Hernandez
- Randal Kolo Muani
- Nordi Mukiele
- Carlos Soler
- Bradley Barcola
- Warren Zaïre-Emery
- Milan Skriniar
- Arnau Tenas
- Gianluigi Donnarumma
