France manager Didier Deschamps defends Kylian Mbappe amid criticism

New Real Madrid signee Kylian Mbappe has come under a lot of scrutiny due to his disappointing form in the Euro 2024 campaign. The former PSG forward has scored only once in the tournament, a penalty against Poland in the final group-stage game.

Mbappe is easily the most important player in the current Didier Deschamps’ squad but his contribution in general player has been non-existent this summer.

Didier Deschamps has come to the defence of the French captain

The 25-year-old French captain was taken off during extra-time of France’s quarter-final game against Portugal but his side went on to win the game via a dramatic penalty shootout.

Despite struggling through the tournament, Deschamps has confirmed that Mbappe will be available against Spain in the semi-final tie at the Munich Football Arena. The French forward has been forced to play most of the tournament with a mask after sustaining a broken nose in the opening game of the Euro 2024 campaign against Austria.

But even with that protection, Mbappe suffered a painful blow to his nose against Portugal and required treatment by the medical staff before he was taken off by the French manager.

“He played 110 minutes, we knew extra time was a bit hard,” Deschamps said of his talisman. “Physically, even if he seems slightly off, he will be on that pitch. We wanted him to rest up as much as he needed to. We did everything we could and I am convinced that Kylian is in the right headspace.

“It is not linked to the last game but the end of last season, he had an issue with his back, his blow to the nose, he knows it could have been the end of the road but he’s still here. I am convinced tomorrow Kylian will do everything, as everyone will, to give it 110 per cent.”

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