Real Madrid reportedly overlooked a significant concern before signing Kylian Mbappe on a free transfer, despite being aware of the issue, according to a recent report.
Mbappe had been closely linked to the Spanish club for years, and after his contract with Paris Saint-Germain ended, he finally joined Real Madrid this summer. While he took a significant pay cut to make the move, Mbappe remains one of the club’s top earners and received a substantial £128 million signing-on fee.
However, his start at Real Madrid has not met expectations. Although he has scored nine goals in 18 games, his presence seems to have disrupted the team’s balance, with the club struggling in 24th place in the Champions League and trailing Barcelona in La Liga.
Despite playing both centrally and on the left, Mbappe has not replicated the form he displayed at PSG, and his confidence appeared to wane during a recent match against Liverpool, where he missed a penalty and was stifled by defender Conor Bradley.
A report from the Daily Mail reveals that Mbappe’s physical performance has been a concern. He has covered significantly less ground than his teammates in the Champions League this season, running just 39km over five matches.
Relevo also notes that before signing Mbappe, Real Madrid were aware that his physical output had been steadily declining since his 2018 World Cup win with France. Despite this, the club decided to proceed with the transfer, believing it was an opportunity they couldn’t miss.
Though the Spanish press has been critical of Mbappe, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has defended the 25-year-old, suggesting that he may be lacking in confidence.
Ancelotti emphasized the importance of simplicity in difficult moments and urged patience, noting that Mbappe is an exceptional talent.
Real Madrid will return to action on Sunday with a home match against Getafe.
