Mauricio Pochettino has discussed Kylian Mbappe’s failed move to Real Madrid and how it may have affected his developing personality.
Pochettino managed Mbappe for some 18 months while in charge at Paris Saint-Germain and had the task of dealing with some of football’s biggest stars and personalities.
Speaking about his time in charge of stars such as Lionel Messi and Neymar, Pochettino was candid in his assessment of Mbappe.
“Mbappe is younger (than Neymar and Lionel Messi) and still immature,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport: “He is an animal; he has great charisma but he still needs to find himself.
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“Leo and Ni are total players, they are more responsible though in different ways, while Kylan continues to find himself.”
Pochettino continued, discussing the ‘maturity’ that Mbappe has yet to find that other players have around him, saying: “We’ll see what has happened in recent months. How will the process be affected, with his failure. Real Madrid.”
Mbappe was the subject of the biggest transfer story of the summer, having his contract at PSG terminated amid a potential move to Real Madrid that appeared to be all but unanimous. However, he sensationally turned his back on a new contract in Paris at the Santiago Bernabeu – one of the biggest in sporting history.
The Argentina coach explained that it is difficult for him to distinguish between the moments in the game when he has to take risks and when he shouldn’t.
“He doesn’t enjoy the company of his teammates unless he’s in the defensive third of the pitch, because he needs space to make the most of his strength.”