Real Madrid find themselves dealing with a delicate situation regarding their star forward, Kylian Mbappe.
The French sensation is visibly struggling with ongoing knee problems, and his current output is a far cry from the spectacular performances he consistently delivered at the beginning of the campaign.
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Internally, authoritative voices at Valdebebas maintain that the attacker is currently operating at only 70% of his actual physical capacity, reports Defensa Central.
Fallout from Osasuna defeat
Mbappe has been heavily singled out for criticism following Real Madrid’s recent La Liga defeat against CA Osasuna.
Offering virtually nothing in attack during the frustrating loss at El Sadar, fans are now demanding more from their marquee signing.
Mbappe struggled to offer anything meaningful in attack against Osasuna. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
As a result, calls are intensifying for manager Alvaro Arbeloa to either alter his tactical setup or entirely drop the Frenchman from the starting eleven if he remains hampered by his knee.
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Not to mention, there are doubts creeping in about Arbeloa himself, due to some of the questionable tactical indecision and constant pandering to players.
The consensus within the club is clear: Mbappe needs to stop and rest. His teammates desperately need him back at his peak form, especially with a season-defining fixture on the immediate horizon.
The Champions League returns to the Santiago Bernabeu this Wednesday with a crucial playoff second-leg clash against SL Benfica.
Although Los Blancos hold a narrow 1-0 aggregate advantage, the dressing room is more than aware that Jose Mourinho’s side cannot be underestimated, and failing to reach the round of 16 would be a catastrophic setback for a club of this stature.
At 100% fitness, the French captain is virtually unstoppable, having already netted as many as 38 goals in all competitions. But right now, he is miles away from that world-class standard.