Luis Enrique ‘told Kylian Mbappe he isn’t being punished for wanting to leave PSG in clear-the-air talks’ despite subbing the striker off in their last two matches
- Mbappe was substituted in Paris Saint-Germain’s last two games
- Luis Enrique is said to have told the striker that he wants to save him for bigger matches
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Kylian Mbappe has reportedly held clear talks with Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique after being substituted early in his last two games.
The French forward was subbed off at half-time during PSG’s goalless draw against his former club Monaco on Friday, after coming on after 65 minutes of the draw against Rennes a week earlier.
Enrique said it was his decision to take Mbappe off against Monaco, with the 25-year-old watching the second half from the stands rather than the bench.
The 25-year-old forward is expected to join Real Madrid on a free transfer when his contract with PSG expires this summer.
According to ESPNMbappe was unhappy at being sent off and asked to speak to his coach to address the issue amid tensions between the pair.
Kylian Mbappe and Luis Enrique (right) have reportedly held clear talks after the PSG coach dropped the striker early in their last two matches
Mbappe, who looks set to join Real Madrid this summer, was taken off the pitch at half-time during PSG’s goalless draw in Monaco on Friday evening.
He watched the second half from the stands instead of with his teammates
Enrique reportedly told the attacker that it was not personal and had nothing to do with his decision to leave the Parc des Princes. Instead, he believed Mbappe was not fully fit and wanted to save him for upcoming matches of greater importance.
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 remains 12 points clear of Brest at the top of Ligue 1.
On Tuesday they go to Real Sociedad in the round of 16 of the Champions League with a 2-0 lead. Mbappe scored the opening goal in the first leg in Paris.
Despite ongoing speculation about his PSG future, Mbappe has scored 32 goals in 33 games this season.
In Monaco, Mbappé came out of the dressing room after changing after the substitution on Friday evening.
Wearing all black, including a cap, he was followed by photographers as he stopped to talk to fans in attendance and even posed for a selfie.
Enrique has argued that PSG will have a better squad next season in Mbappe’s absence
Mbappe was seen on the phone in the tunnel at the start of the second period in Monaco
He went to the stands in changed clothes, as his side could only get one point
Mbappé watched the second half of PSG’s draw against former Monaco from the stands
The match ended 0-0 in a fairly even match in terms of chances, despite the visitors’ dominant ball possession.
Mbappé sat in the stands with his entourage – including his mother – and could be seen talking on the phone in the tunnel at the start of the second half. He was injured in the 27th minute of the match, but played the rest of the first period.
About the change, Enrique said: ‘I have been in football for a long time, you have to know that everything is important at these types of clubs. 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 side without Mbappe next year as they look to finally put the long-running distraction surrounding his future behind them.
“I know that if everything goes well, we will have a better team from all perspectives next season,” Enrique said. ‘Offensive, defensive, tactical. I do not doubt it.’
