Kylian Mbappe: France World Cup winner says Real Madrid star should be dropped for Spain semi-final

France World Cup victor Frank Lebouef has called for Kylian Mbappe to beryllium dropped for tonight’s Euro 2024 semi-final against Spain, claiming location is nary constituent successful playing nan Real Madrid striker “at 50 per cent” fit.

Mbappe is struggling to flooded nan effects of nan surgery chemoreceptor he suffered successful France’s opening crippled against Austria.

He has laboured connected pinch nan usage of a look disguise but a France subordinate has yet to people a azygous extremity from unfastened play successful nan tourney – they person reached nan past 4 courtesy of 2 ain goals and an Mbappe penalty.

Lebouef, who won nan World Cup successful 1998 and nan European Championship 2 years later pinch existent Les Bleus leader Didier Deschamps arsenic captain, believes nan 25-year-old should beryllium near retired against Spain.

He told Get French Football News: “I deliberation location is simply a existent Kylian Mbappe problem. If you are injured and you can’t play astatine 100 per cent, you tin only play astatine 50 per cent, past you shouldn’t play. 

“For me, you’re not serving France good and you’re not serving yourself well, because you’re criticised, you can’t play to your champion level. I can’t spot nan usage successful playing Mbappe astatine 50 per cent – I deliberation that Bradley Barcola would do better.”

Ousmane ‘what a shame’ Dembele

Ousmane Dembele is group to beryllium recalled to nan starting XI for nan crippled successful Munich but Lebouef believes he flatters to deceive, adding: “Then Ousmane Dembele – I telephone him ‘What A Shame!’ – arsenic successful ooooOOOOOH – aaah, what a shame!

“It drives maine mad! He’s for illustration [Leroy] Sane for Germany – location are players for illustration that – who excite you erstwhile they get nan shot … and past nothing.”

𝑫𝑬́𝑻𝑬𝑹𝑴𝑰𝑵𝑬́𝑺 😤
RDV demain move la demi-finale de l’Euro ! 🇪🇸🇫🇷 #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/2IjTvVKGfy

— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) July 8, 2024

Antoine Griezmann has looked a protector of his accustomed aforesaid successful Germany and Lebouef thinks Deschamps needs to deliberation astir leaving him astir arsenic well.

He said: “I deliberation that he’s tired. I deliberation nan play that he had astatine Atletico – which was bonzer – wore him out. Maybe Didier needs to deliberation astir changing players, possibly [Olivier] Giroud could beryllium an option?

“I cognize that against Spain we’ll play connected nan counter-attack truthful possibly Giroud isn’t nan correct subordinate for that. But location are possibly things to effort – location is [Kingsley] Coman too. But location are value players, players who are very quick. 

“Spain will onslaught truthful possibly location will beryllium abstraction for France down their protect line. But you person to prime nan correct players.”

Collective blasted for goalscoring woe

Asked who was to blasted for France’s struggles successful beforehand of goal, Lebouef said: “Deschamps has 50 per cent of nan work arsenic coach, and nan players person 50 per cent of nan responsibility. 

“When Dembele shoots complete nan barroom it’s not Deschamps’ responsibility – he’s picked a subordinate who is tin of scoring goals, yet each changeable he has goes complete nan bar.

“The aforesaid for Mbappe – he can’t tally because he’s perpetually adjusting his mask. But past location are decisions that person to beryllium taken. They mightiness wounded immoderate players but it’s France.”