Didier Deschamps’ version of Kylian Mbappé omission contested as mental issues evoked | OneFootball

For consecutive international breaks, Kylian Mbappé (25), France’s captain, is absent from Les Bleus’ squad. Mbappé was present during the international break in September, despite reports that he did not wish to be.

He was, however, absent in October. That decision was taken in consultation with Real Madrid’s technical staff and was taken on the basis of recovery from an injury. However, Los Blancos’ decision to start the former Paris Saint-Germain forward in their last La Liga match before that international break weakened that argument. His trip to Sweden during that international break only added to the controversy. Mbappé is reportedly a suspect in an ongoing rape case in Stockholm, although he has not been named by investigators.

Deschamps said that such non-sporting factors did not figure in his decision to omit Mbappé from his latest squad. The France manager did, nonetheless, say it was his call. “I had several discussions with him, I had a think about it, and made the decision for this specific international break,” he said upon the announcement of the squad.

Mental problems for Mbappé?

Throughout the ongoing situation, Mbappé’s entourage have remained silent. That has not changed, however, L’Équipe have spoken to some of those close to the Real Madrid forward. One of the people that the publication spoke to has contested Deschamps’ version of events.

“It is an incorrect version or incomplete from the truth. It is a lot more complex than that. Making people believe that it is the manager’s decision is false. But the most important thing, first of all, is that Kylian can re-discover happiness playing football. The rest will follow,” said the person questioned.

Another person, he interacts with Mbappé on a daily basis has evoked a mental issue. “Call it what you want but Kylian has had a mental problem for several months. That doesn’t sort itself out just like that. You need time and work, which he is carrying out with specialists,” they said. Given the silence from the player and his entourage, a deeper understanding of the ongoing situation remains elusive.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle