Former Real Madrid star Karim Benzema has shared his thoughts on Kylian Mbappe's recent challenges in his new role as a central striker at the club, shedding light on the adjustments he believes Mbappe must make to thrive at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Since arriving in Madrid in the summer after his PSG contract ended, Mbappe has scored 8 goals in 14 matches but has struggled with consistency, netting only once in his last five games.
Mbappe has traditionally excelled as a left winger, but manager Carlo Ancelotti has opted to keep Brazil ace Vinicius Junior in that role, positioning Mbappe as a central striker. Benzema, who left Real Madrid last year as the club’s second-highest scorer, remarked that this adjustment could be key to Mbappe’s long-term success at Madrid.
"The problem, in my opinion, is that [Mbappe] is not a central striker," Benzema stated in an appearance on El Chiringuito as BBC Sport reported. "Even with the national team, every time he plays as a number nine he doesn’t feel right, because that’s not his position."
Benzema highlighted Vinicius's strength on the left wing, where he became a standout player for Real Madrid and finished as runner-up in the recent Ballon d'Or voting. "On the left, he's got a guy who's at the same level as him, Vinicius, so there is a problem," Benzema explained. "You can't play Vinicius as a number nine or on the right, because when he plays on the left, he makes the difference in every game."
The legendary forward acknowledged the pressure on Mbappe to adapt quickly, especially in a high-expectation environment like Real Madrid. Benzema cautioned, "People ask a lot of him, and he's under a lot of pressure. This isn’t Paris St-Germain."
Benzema's journey at Real, which included five Champions League titles and a Ballon d'Or win in 2022, gives weight to his advice. Reflecting on the demands of the club, he added, "If you go two or three games without a goal, you’re going to have a lot of problems."
To find success at Real, Benzema believes Mbappe must fully embrace his role as a central striker, adjusting his style to fit that position. "My advice to him is: Don't give up, because I don’t think he’s going to push Vinicius to move," Benzema said. "Mbappe needs to get it into his head that today he’s a number nine and forget about the left flank for a while."
Benzema’s insights provide a clear perspective on the tactical and psychological challenges Mbappe faces as he seeks to solidify his role and make a lasting impact at Real Madrid.
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