Former PSG and France winger Jerome Rothen has strongly criticised the ego of Kylian Mbappe. Mbappe hasn’t scored a goal yet at the Euros and he is far from his best form.
Rothen thinks that Mbappe’s ego has grown so much that France head coach Deschamps is having trouble controlling it.
‘That he is the leader on the pitch, no problem… that it [his ego] extends to off the field too, that bothers me,’ Rothen told French outlet RMC Sport.
‘I think Didier Deschamps can no longer manage it and it is problematic. It is even surprising that he lets Kylian Mbappe do so many things.’
‘It can be seen in his performances on the pitch. Today, we cannot say that Kylian Mbappe has had a successful Euros.’
‘Is he in the right like he was at PSG throughout the end of the season? I would say no.’
‘We expect much better from Kylian Mbappe. Everyone thinks that Mbappe is one of the best players in Europe. But if you immediately put him in the category of the very best, you cannot be satisfied.’
Rothen also insisted Mbappe must be taken off set pieces immediately because he does not possess the ‘class’ of Paul Pogba or Antoine Griezmann in such situations.
Rothen said: ‘Is he aware that he does not have the class of some [of the others] in the group on set pieces?’
‘Maybe he scores them in training. But I watch all of Mbappe’s matches. Do you remember a magnificent free-kick? From 25 metres?’
‘On the other hand, I remember some from Griezmann, from Pogba. That’s two already, a left footer and a right footer. So what is he [Mbappe] doing there?’