Kylian Mbappé’s future remains a matter of debate in France. According to Leonardo, technical director at Paris Saint-Germain until last year, a departure this summer is the best for all parties.
Former director Leonardo gives PSG clear advice: sell Mbappé
“I think the time has come for Mbappé to leave,” Leonardo told L’Équipe. He emphasizes that he thinks it is also in the interest of PSG that the 24-year-old attacker leaves. “PSG existed before Mbappé came to Paris and will continue to exist when he leaves,” said the former player of PSG and AC Milan, among others, who was responsible for the transfer policy at the French top club between June 2019 and May 2022.
Leonardo does not beat around the bush that he thinks Mbappé lacks leadership qualities. “With his behavior in the past two years, he has shown that he is not yet capable of leading a team. He is a good player, but not a leader. He’s a great goalscorer, but not a real game changer. It is difficult to build a team around him,” said Leonardo.
According to him, PSG should not focus on keeping Mbappé. If the player wants to force a transfer to his dream club Real Madrid, the French champion had better let him go, says Leonardo. “He has now had six seasons in Paris and in those six seasons five different clubs have won the Champions League. None of those clubs had Mbappé in their selection. That just shows that it is absolutely possible to win that prize without him,” Leonardo substantiates his point.
Mbappé again caused unrest this week by criticizing his own club. With his statements he seemed to increase the pressure on PSG to cooperate with a transfer. The seventy-time international does not intend to extend his contract that expires in 2024.
Busy PSG continues shopping in La Liga and presents fourth summer acquisition
Paris Saint-Germain presented Kang-in Lee as the latest addition. The 22-year-old South Korean makes the switch from Real Mallorca. Lee has signed a contract until mid-2028.
After Manuel Ugarte, Milan Skriniar and Marco Asensio, the fourteen-time Korean international is the fourth summer acquisition for French champions PSG and will receive shirt number 19. Lee scored six goals and seven assists in La Liga last season. Mallorca took over the attacking midfielder from Valencia in the summer of 2021.
Lee came to Valencia from South Korea in 2011 and went through various youth teams at Los Che before making his official debut in the main force in 2018 at the age of seventeen. Lee eventually made 62 appearances for Valencia, scoring three times.
