Real Madrid’s positional plan for Kylian Mbappe revealed as manager Carlo Ancelotti explains where the French star will fit in alongside the likes of Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior

Kylian Mbappé will wear the number 9 shirt in his first season at Real Madrid, but where does he fit into his new team’s all-star attack?

The 25-year-old played much of his career as an attacking left winger, but last season he was more often deployed as a central striker for Paris Saint-Germain.

Meanwhile, Madrid’s attacking positions in the 2023-24 season have typically been filled by the likes of Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Joselu.

Most of these players played in multiple attacking positions throughout the season, with the exception of Joselu, who played almost exclusively in the traditional number 9 role.

Joselu has since left Madrid to join Al-Gharafa in Qatar.

Former PSG player Mbappe will wear the number 9 shirt during his first season with the Spanish giants

Mbappe pictured in the dressing room of the famous Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, home of Madrid

As Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti explained during an appearance at the Obi One podcastIt is unlikely that Mbappe will be a direct replacement for Joselu.

Ancelotti, on the other hand, expects his attack to be flexible in 2024-25, with Mbappe, Bellingham, Vinicius and Rodrygo regularly switching positions.

Asked where Mbappe will play, Ancelotti replied: ‘I see him playing up front. The front, the attack, is quite wide – the pitch is 68 metres. We have to cover those 68 metres with the players up front.

‘If I ask you where Vinicius played last season, it’s difficult to say. He didn’t play [always] playing as a left winger. He moved.

‘The main key for the attacking players is the mobility of the players. Sometimes they can play on the left, sometimes in the middle.

‘Bellingham sometimes played on the left, sometimes in the middle, sometimes he went to the right. Rodrygo started most games on the right, sometimes I saw him play on the left. So it’s important, the mobility.

“I want to give them freedom. They have to be able to handle the situation of the match. We played one match against City with both Vinicius and Rodrygo on the left, because we thought we could take advantage of that.

‘We are not so worried about where Mbappe will play. I think it is true, it is about mobility up front.’

Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti (right) has explained where he wants Mbappé (left) to play

Mbappe will join a Madrid squad that already includes Jude Bellingham (left), Vinicius Junior (centre) and Rodrygo (right)

Ancelotti, 65, pictured overseeing a training session at Madrid’s Valdebebas base last week

Italian Ancelotti has almost 300 games to his name in two spells as Madrid coach

Mbappe has been on holiday in Miami and Los Angeles since his France team were knocked out in the semi-finals of Euro 2024 earlier this month.

His Real Madrid teammates will also travel to the United States this summer to play friendlies against AC Milan, Barcelona and Chelsea.

Mbappé’s official debut for Madrid is expected to be on August 14 in the UEFA Super Cup final against Atalanta.