Real Madrid "regret" signing Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain, according to a Spanish journalist, who has explained why Los Blancos are "gutted" at the transfer.
After completing his long-awaited move to Madrid in the summer following years of intense speculation, Mbappe has netted seven goals in 11 appearances across all competitions.
Last month, the French forward said "things are going very well" in the Spanish capital. "My performances are getting better and better," he said. "I've finally been scoring goals, so things must be working."
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Based on that answer from a recent press conference while on international duty, Mbappe has a genuinely positive outlook on his start to life at the Bernabeu.
But Real Madrid are not exactly bowled over, according to Spanish journalist Romain Molina.
Speaking on the YouTube channel Colinterview, Molina gave an insight into the so-called "regret" Madrid feel regarding their biggest summer signing.
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"They regret bringing him in. I guarantee that," he said, as quoted by the Daily Mail. "I have spoken about it off (the record). It hasn’t been at all what they were expecting. It was a whim of [Florentino] Perez. It was only Perez who wanted him.
"[Perez] has always liked the big players. He also has a filial relationship with him (Mbappe). The club are gutted, firstly with his level (of performances), which is not at all at the expected levels, in the dressing room it isn’t great, that isn’t necessarily Mbappe’s fault though."
Molina then described Mbappe's "physical drop-off" as something he has never seen before at his age.
"I think Real have made a big mistake," he added. "He didn’t have a pre-season, he played instantly, unlike (Jude) Bellingham. When you see how (Mbappe) is physically at 25, you can’t explain it to me. The physical drop-off that he has had at 25, I have never seen that."
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Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti says Mbappe is nearing full fitness as he continues to recover from a muscle injury.
"He's taken advantage of the break to improve his condition," Ancelotti said. "He's very well, happy, and looking forward to returning tomorrow and being important for the team.
"These 15 days have helped him a lot, because he is a different player to what he was before the break."
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"On a tactical level, his position does not change from how he has played in recent games. He can vary his position on the left wing with Vinicius, but we have been focused on physical work. This break has been good for him and I see him very well."
Topics: Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid
Jack Kenmare