No demands, no drama: Real Madrid megastar has never asked Ancelotti for a preferred position | OneFootball

Kylian Mbappe’s arrival at Real Madrid brought plenty of discussion about his ideal position on the pitch. Many wondered whether he would be best utilised as a central striker or if he should continue playing on the left wing, where he had excelled throughout his career.

However, despite all the speculation, Jorge Picon (h/t RM4 Arab) has reported that he never demanded to play a particular role.

Instead, he has remained patient and adapted to the team’s requirements, even if it meant taking on additional defensive responsibilities.

Now, Mbappe is thriving in his role as a central striker. Over time, he has grown into the position, and his performances reflect this transition.

So far this season, he has netted 24 goals, including an impressive 11 in his last ten matches. His scoring form is a clear sign that he has fully adjusted to playing as the team’s main forward.

A shift in role

The shift has also contradicted the views Karim Benzema, who previously suggested that Mbappe was not suited to leading the line.

Kylian Mbappe has never asked to play in a specific position. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

However, the statistics tell a different story. This season, he has spent 95% of his playing time as a centre-forward, a sharp increase compared to his final campaign at Paris Saint-Germain. Under Luis Enrique, he was deployed as the most advanced player only 66.5% of the time.

Real Madrid’s attacking trio—Mbappe, Vinicius Jr., and Rodrygo—naturally prefer operating from the left, which has led to adjustments in their positioning.

A look at the numbers

Last season, nearly 60% of Mbappe’s attacking actions came from the left flank, but that number has now dropped to 50% this season.

Despite these changes, the frontline has shown great flexibility, ensuring that their movement does not disrupt the team’s attacking rhythm.

With Mbappe now firmly established as the striker and his wingers providing width, the final step is refining their positional rotations to maximise their impact.

Given their immense talent and adaptability, this is unlikely to be an issue. If anything, their dynamic partnership will be a key factor in Real Madrid’s success this season.