The time of the iconc rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi is coming to an end. And it is time to move on to the next generation. Experts were expecting a chance that Erling Haaland could play with Kylian Mbappe in the future. For once, there was a thought that Mbappe could move to Manchester City under Pep Guardiola after the transfer market drama. With a potentially catastrophic result for the rivals, the thought did not strike big for the French star who wants Real Madrid. The French media and experts are excited to see their star doing so well, but one former player does not want Mbappe to join the Sky Blues.
Manchester City is undoubtedly one of the strongest European teams right now. With continuous dominance in the English Premier League, they conquered the UEFA Champions as well. So, how can any player not think of going to such a club?
France’s World Cup winner does not want Kylian Mbappe to join Manchester City
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Reports did not link Kylian Mbappe to just one Manchester team. Even though Manchester United was interested in signing the 24-year-old, his joining City was just a possibility explored by experts. But one French soccer legend, Marcel Desailly, clearly opined that Mbappe should not join Manchester City. talkSPORT quoted Desailly, saying, “There’ll be a drop in his confidence if he doesn’t start well there, either. He’s a top player, but not a Man City player.”
The former 1998 World Cup winner with France felt that Manchester City would not suit Mbappe’s style of playing. And once he does not start well with City’s style of play, Mbappe can lose confidence. Manchester City’s tactics include a lot of passing and possession in the midfield, which differs from how the PSG star plays. Teams know Kylian Mbappe for his pace, dribbling, and handling players by attacking. So City’s style will not fit him along with Erling Haaland on the treble-winning side, said the icon.
Desailly himself was a legend of the game, winning the World Cup, Euro and two Champions League titles. He also succeeded Didier Deschamps as France’s Captain, winning the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup 2001.
Pep suppressed Manchester City players’ ability, says Desailly
The former Les Bleus skipper hinted that Pep Guardiola’s style of play does not allow individual talent to flourish much. Desailly said that the way Manchester City passes the ball in the midfield will not allow Mbappe to attack much.
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Mentioning the case of Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish, the former defender stated, “They pass, they move. Silva and Grealish both have the ability to play number ten, but that’s been killed by Guardiola’s philosophy.”
One will feel strange that someone can suggest a player not to join City for tactical reasons. Haaland found the right support from the midfield with skilled players like Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden, who are also heavily involved in attacking. Experts already feel that Pep makes adjustments to the team to accommodate the Norwegian’s style to make it easy.
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If that is the case and the squad is built around Haaland or to get the best out of him, it is interesting to think of how Mbappe could fit in such a system.