Didier Deschamps explains Kylian Mbappé’s absence from media duties: “He needs tranquillity.”
France captain Kylian Mbappé (24) was once again absent from media duties on Thursday, ahead of Friday’s UEFA European Championship qualifier against the Netherlands. It was Aurélien Tchouaméni who instead addressed the media alongside manager Didier Deschamps, who explained his captain’s absence.
According to L’Équipe, Mbappé left Clairefontaine on Wednesday to do a quick return journey to Bondy due to the death of a close one. However, he has already returned to France’s training camp, as confirmed by Deschamps. Mbappé has not fronted up to the media whilst on international journey since before Les Bleus’ victory against Gibraltar in June.
Deschamps, upon the announcement of his squad to face the Netherlands and Scotland, admitted that his captain wasn’t at the peak of his powers currently. He hasn’t scored in his last four Paris Saint-Germain fixtures, his longest run without a goal for Les Parisiens since 2018. Speaking at Thursday’s press conference, transcribed by Get French Football News, Deschamps said that Mbappé needed “tranquillity.”
“His difficult period? I speak with him regularly. Kylian needs tranquillity. He is here. He will be part of the team tomorrow, which will have a specific objective. Everyone speaks about him a lot, but he can fend for himself. He is devoted to the collective [effort], and he isn’t here wanting to take everything,” said Deschamps.
Tchouaméni, who was present alongside Deschamps, said that Mbappé is “smiley, as usual.” Adding that no one sees a problem. “Every player has a different situation with their club. We know the player he is. He has shown that he is at a very high level in training,” added the Real Madrid midfielder.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
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