Kylian Mbappe, the Real Madrid forward who joined this summer, is facing heavy criticism despite his much-anticipated move from Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
The French forward, who has only recently ended a three-match goal drought in La Liga, is being labelled "average" by some high-profile voices in football.
One of the most outspoken critics is Christophe Dugarry, a former France international and World Cup winner.
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Critics point to Mbappe's flaws
In a candid interview with RMC Sport, Dugarry didn't hold back in his assessment of Mbappe's recent performances.
"Mbappe, despite significant statistics and goals, has been average and insufficient in the game for a very long time," Dugarry stated. He went on to highlight areas where he believes Mbappe needs to improve, such as his role as an attacker, physical challenges, and technical quality.
Dugarry also noted that Mbappe's underwhelming display at Euro 2024, where he scored just one goal, has only added to the growing concerns.
He believes that the flaws in Mbappe's game are becoming more apparent now that he is playing alongside Vinicius Junior, who many consider the favorite for this year’s Ballon d'Or. "We also see Mbappe's technical limitations," Dugarry continued. "And today, his limitations are obvious with a player like Vinicius next to him."
Former PSG midfielder Jerome Rothen echoed Dugarry’s sentiments, suggesting that Mbappe has struggled to keep up with Vinicius on the left flank.
"In similar situations, especially when Mbappe finds himself on the left wing, Vinicius manages to create opportunities and make an impact in ways that Mbappe does not," Rothen observed.
As Mbappe joins the French national team for the upcoming Nations League fixtures, the pressure on him to deliver at Real Madrid continues to mount. Los Blancos will be hoping that their new 'Galactico' can find his form when they return to La Liga action against Real Sociedad on September 14.