- Mbappé has been substituted in Paris Saint-Germain’s last two games
- Luis Enrique supposedly told the forward that he wants to save him for more important games
- Is Kevin De Bruyne’s confidence churlish or should we defend the self-confidence of the world’s best? Podcast Everything is beginning
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Kylian Mbappé has reportedly held calm talks with Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique after being substituted early in their last two matches.
The French striker was substituted at half-time of PSG’s goalless draw against his former club Monaco on Friday, having been substituted in the 65th minute of the draw against Rennes a week earlier.
Enrique said it was his decision to take off Mbappe against Monaco with the 25-year-old watching the second half from the stands rather than the bench.
It comes as the 25-year-old striker is expected to join Real Madrid on a free transfer when his contract with PSG expires this summer.
According ESPNMbappé was not happy with the loss and asked to speak with his coach to address the matter amid the tensions between the two.
Kylian Mbappé and Luis Enrique (right) reportedly held calm talks after the PSG boss pulled the forward early in their last two matches.
Mbappe, who looks set to join Real Madrid this summer, was substituted at half-time during PSG’s goalless draw in Monaco on Friday night.
He watched the second half from the stands and not with his teammates.
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Enrique reportedly told the striker that it was not personal and had nothing to do with his decision to leave the Parc des Princes. Instead, he believed that Mbappé was not fully fit and wanted to save him for upcoming, more important matches.
But ESPN said the feeling in the player’s camp is that he is being punished for wanting to leave.
Despite dropping four points in their last two games, PSG remain a comfortable 12 points clear of Brest at the top of Ligue 1.
On Tuesday they head to Real Sociedad in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 with a 2-0 lead. Mbappé scored the first goal of the first leg in Paris.
Despite constant speculation about his future at PSG, Mbappé has scored 32 goals in 33 games this season.
In Monaco, Mbappé left the locker room after changing clothes after the substitution on Friday night.
He was dressed all in black, including a cap, and was followed by photographers as he stopped to talk to fans in attendance, even posing for a selfie.
Enrique has argued that PSG will have a better team next season without Mbappé
Mbappé was seen talking on the phone in the tunnel at the start of the second half in Monaco
He headed to the stands with changed clothes, since his team could only score one point.
Mbappé watched the second half of the tie between PSG and the former Monaco from the stands
The match ended 0-0 in a fairly even match in terms of scoring opportunities despite the visitors dominating possession.
Mbappé sat in the stands with his entourage, including his mother, and could be seen in the tunnel talking on the phone at the start of the second half. He had been injured in the 27th minute of the game but played the rest of the first half.
Speaking about the substitution, Enrique said: “I’ve been in football for quite a while, you should know that everything is important in this type of club. Sooner or later we will play without Mbappé, we have to get used to that.”
Enrique had hinted before the match that PSG would be a better team without Mbappe next year, as they look to finally put long-standing distraction over their future behind them.
“I know that if everything goes well, next season we will have a better team from all points of view,” Enrique said. ‘Offensively, defensively and tactically. I have no doubt about it.’
