Former Real Madrid star calls for club to nurture a new striker – ‘Mbappe is not one for me’ | OneFootball

It is no secret that Kylian Mbappe is one of the world’s most lethal and in-form forwards at this point in time and his goalscoring record is off the charts.

The player took his sensational run from the club level to his national team in the recent international break where he led from the front for France. In fact, he even went on to become his nation’s second-highest goalscorer of all time.

After winning the Pichichi Award last season, Mbappe will look to gun down the award once more this season, yet, there are still ironically questions asked about his ability as a centre-forward.

Former player speaks

Speaking to the media in a recent interview, former Real Madrid and Barcelona player Alfonso Perez Munoz commented on Kylian Mbappe and his adaptation to a number 9 role, albeit not in the direction that Xabi Alonso would like to hear.

The ex-player was of the strong opinion that Mbappe is not a natural striker, and thus, is better placed on the wing for Real Madrid.

“I am in favour of Real Madrid having a centre-forward. Mbappe is not one for me,” he began.

“Because of his physique and his characteristics, he will perform wherever he plays, but he is a football player who has always played on the left wing and is where he feels most comfortable,” he added on Mbappe’s best position on the field.

“But if you put Mbappe on the left wing, you don’t have anyone up,” Perez concluded, stating that it was essential for the club to have another number nine.

Alfonso Perez Munoz (R) played for Real Madrid and Barcelona. (Photo Credit: Allsport/ALLSPORT)

Elaborating on how he saw Real Madrid and how the goalscoring was essentially over-dependent on certain players in the team, the former player stressed that a new striker would help cope when one of the big names was missing.

“[Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, Jude Bellingham] are alternating positions, but the day that one of them is missing, it will be a problem because perhaps there is not that replacement striker that is needed.”

He then went on to back Gonzalo Garcia to fill the void he described and how the player had what it takes to bridge that gap.

“[He is] A good complement and if you give him confidence he can take advantage of it.”

Finally, the former Real Madrid and Barcelona player was asked for his opinion on who would win the Ballon d’Or, to which he sincerely hoped it would be a member of Xabi Alonso’s team.

“There are many players who have made merits for it, but hopefully it will be one of Real Madrid.”

Source: Mundo Deportivo