“We will have to learn to play without Kylian.” This little sentence dropped by Luis Enrique after PSG-Rennes last Sunday caused a lot of noise. This is an “unofficial formalization” of his departure at the end of the season. The implication is enormous even if no communication from the club or the player has yet taken place. The Spaniard, for his part, did not wait for the roundness of circumstance used in this type of situation. 65th minute of this PSG-Rennes, he replaces Kylian Mbappé, who had little taste of this unexpected experience.
What will happen for the rest and the end of this season, of which we recall the crucial meeting against Real Sociedad on Tuesday evening in the round of 16 second leg of the Champions League? For Luis Enrique, it doesn’t change much. He is in permanent adaptability. “We talk about the present and future of the team every day in relation to what we want to accomplish. What I do as a coach is take advantage of what I have available. Afterwards, things come to fruition and I don’t prefer to talk about them. I always look for the best for the team.”
Luis Enrique on Mbappé: “It’s always the present and the immediate future that count”
After his status as a substitute in Nantes, then his premature replacement against Rennes, can Mbappé fear for his place? A priori no, he will always be lined up during the major meetings, starting with the trip to Monaco tomorrow to open the 24th day of Ligue 1. On the other hand, in order to prepare for a future without the 2018 world champion, it would not be surprising to see the Parisian coach repeat his choice of taking out his star player in the middle of a match.
He also returned to his post-match statement at a press conference. “It’s a spontaneous reflection after a match. It’s a reality. Everyone can interpret it in a positive or negative way. I understand that people can criticize or think that it is a bad decision. What is important for me is to look for the best solutions for the team at a given moment. It’s always the present and the immediate future that count.” A future most likely without Mbappé, who is on his way to Real Madrid as we said on January 7.
“Rafael Leão? It’s a singer?”
In reality, Luis Enrique is only following in his club’s footsteps by preparing for the future. The Asturian is even fully confident. He confided it during a question about the Rafael Leão rumor. “Is he a singer (laughs)? he first joked. I can’t talk about a player outside of our country. All I can say is that if everything goes well, I hope, I am convinced that we will have a very strong team next year, even stronger than this year and in every way sight, attack, defense, physically, technically. » After Mbappé, it’s already now.
