- World Cup winner hitting free agency
- Expected to head for the Bernabeu
- Big decisions for the Blancos to make
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WHAT HAPPENED?
The newly-crowned La Liga champions are expected to wrap up a deal this summer that will see World Cup winner Mbappe become another ‘Galactico’ at Santiago Bernabeu. The France international has confirmed that he will be leaving Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent.
WHAT GALLAS SAID
It remains to be seen how Mbappe will be fitted into a star-studded attacking unit in Madrid, with Brazilian wonderkid Endrick also on his way, and fellow countryman Gallas has told Genting Casino of why one superstar performer on the Blancos’ books may be phased out: “Vinicius Jr has been brilliant for Real Madrid, and if he wins the Champions League, I think he will win the Ballon d’Or. I don’t know what is going to happen when Kylian Mbappe comes to Real Madrid, because playing down the middle is not his position. I would not be surprised to see a front three of Vinicius Jr, Mbappe and Rodrygo, with Mbappe down the middle, then the next season they sell Vinicius Jr.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Gallas added on how Mbappe will impact England star Bellingham, who has broken through the 20-goal barrier this season: “I don’t think Mbappe playing down the middle will restrict Jude Bellingham. When he was at Dortmund, Bellingham did not play as high up the pitch as he does for Real Madrid, and he was still a great player. Bellingham will play behind Mbappe next season, he will properly be a part of a three-man midfield. I don’t expect Bellingham to score anywhere near the amount of goals he’s scored this season. He started well, but we’ve seen his goalscoring levels decrease in the last month or two. Bellingham is a midfielder, and he won’t have the system from this season to get the same amount of goals next year, and his Spanish opponents know what to expect from him now.”
WHAT NEXT?
Before welcoming Mbappe onto their books, Real have the small matter of another Champions League final to contend with. They are set to face Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium on June 1, with a 15th European crown up for grabs.
