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PSG boss Christophe Galtier ‘holds confrontational talks with Presnel Kimpembe’ after defender claimed he was NOT informed about his demotion as vice-captain in favor of Kylian Mbappe
- Christoph Galtier held clear talks with Presnel Kimpembe, according to reports
- The PSG manager reportedly met the defender, 27, for confrontational talks.
- Kimpembe was demoted as vice-captain, with Mbappé taking over.
Christophe Galtier has been forced into standoff talks with Paris Saint-Germain defender Presnel Kimpembe, according to reports in France.
The central defender was upset that he was kept in the dark about his demotion as vice-captain in favor of superstar striker Kylian Mbappe, who enjoys enormous power at the club after signing a new three-year deal this summer.
And according to the French media L’EquipeCoach Galtier held some conversations on the air with the 27-year-old, who was the previous substitute, to explain his position and settle the controversy at the club.
Christoph Galtier held confrontational talks with Presnel Kimpembe (above), according to reports
The defender claimed he was not told he was demoted as vice-captain of Paris Saint-Germain.
The Parisian giants defeated sixth division Pays de Cassel 7-0 in the French Cup round of 16 on Monday, with Mbappé scoring five goals while wearing the armband for the first time in his 5 1/2 years at the club.
Brazilian Marquinhos is the normal captain, but he missed it, with the armband going to Mbappe instead of Kimpembe, much to his chagrin.
After the game, Galtier said: ‘It has been defined like this since the beginning of the season. He had decided that Kylian should be the vice-captain. He stayed at PSG and deserves the bracelet when ‘Marqui’ isn’t there.
And that decision clearly upset Kimpembe, who took to social media to criticize Galtier and the club for not informing him.
Instead, superstar Kylian Mbappe was given the armband in a Coupe de France match on Monday.
He said: ‘In the last few hours I have heard and read a lot about myself. Therefore, I want to make things clear to avoid further spreading false information about it. I was not aware of this decision, it is completely false… Having said that, I will always respect the decisions of the club.’
And L’Equipe says that Galtier, who replaced Mauricio Pochettino at the helm in July 2022, met with Kimpembe to clarify the situation and smooth things over.
He is believed to have told the player that he is one of four equal vice-captains behind Marquinhos, along with veteran Sergio Ramos, club stalwart Marco Verratti and Mbappé.
PSG, who are three points clear of second-placed Lens, take on Reims in the French capital on Sunday.