“3x More Danger”- Neymar & Lionel Messi’s Exits Have Made Things ‘Complicated’ for Kylian Mbappe at PSG, Claims Former Rival

Luis Enrique’s PSG is having a mixed season, by all accounts. Despite Kylian Mbappe plundering goals, PSG faces potential elimination from their Champions League group. Even Mbappe’s all-round game looks to have gone down a notch, irrespective of the goals. What could the problem be in Paris? A former Monaco player believes the absence of Messi and Neymar affects Mbappe and the team’s attacking threat. Could this be true?

PSG currently is on top of the Ligue 1 with a slender 1-point lead over Nice. However, it is the Champions League where they want to prove themselves, and it looks like another depressing campaign on the cards for the Parisian side. But Sabri Lamouchi detailed the issues at PSG. 

Former Monaco star highlights the reason for PSG’s attacking woes

Sabri Lamouchi, the Cardiff City manager, has given his take on PSG’s faltering attacking dynamics. He said, “Today, everything depends offensively on Kylian. When you are opposed to an opposition defense with a very low block and you arrive with Mbappé, Messi, and Neymar, there was three times more danger than today. They are no longer there, and in this area, he has 2 or 3 defenders on him. That necessarily complicates things.” As per Lamouchi, teams are doubling up on Mbappe and restricting his influence.

Additionally, Lamouchi doesn’t seem to be a big fan of the new attackers- Dembele, Asensio, Kolo Muani, and Goncalo Ramos. The former Monaco man considered Messi and Neymar as difference makers in the final third, and the new crop doesn’t seem capable as much. In fact, PSG’s new quartet has just nine league goals between them.

Hence, the attackers are struggling. Yet, it would be unwise to group Kylian Mbappe among them. After all, the French Superstar could potentially be on the way to his best PSG season statistically.

Read More: Mats Hummels Takes a Dig at PSG After Kylian Mbappe’s 98th Minute Penalty Against Newcastle United

Has Kylian Mbappe struggled in the absence of Messi & Neymar?

Kylian Mbappe is already on top of the Ligue 1 goal-scoring charts. Additionally, he is scoring at a rate of one goal per 83 minutes, while last year, he managed a goal per 87 minutes. Hence, it’s clear that Mbappe has not lost any goal-scoring threat.

Furthermore, his underlying creative numbers have improved as well. He is recording more progressive passes (5.37 vs. 4.09) and key passes (1.94 vs 1.76) compared to 22/23. Hence, it’s arguable that Kylian Mbappe has improved without Messi and Ronaldo. However, the lack of UCL success means the Frenchman won’t get the recognition he deserves.

Do you agree with Lamouchi’s claims? Let us know in the comment box below.

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