Zidane opens door for Mbappe to return to France’s left wing

Kylian Mbappe could move back to the left wing for France after new manager Zinedine Zidane suggested he favours using the Real Madrid forward in that position.

Speaking at a news conference on Friday, Zidane said he “really likes” the idea of Mbappe playing on the left. He also stressed that the France captain was “capable of playing in all three positions” across the front line.

Mbappe’s record on the left

Mbappe has mainly operated as a central striker over the past two seasons, but the 32-time left-wing international has a long history of playing in that role for France.

According to Transfermarkt data, Mbappe has played 32 of his 106 international matches on the left wing and scored 21 goals in games he started in that position.

He played on the right during the 2018 World Cup before moving to the left at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Mbappe scored eight goals as France reached the final, with Olivier Giroud deployed as the central striker.

Mbappe continued on the left until the start of Euro 2024. During the tournament in Germany, then-manager Didier Deschamps used him on the flank in two matches, including the semi-final against Spain, while Randal Kolo Muani played through the middle.

Mbappe scored only once at Euro 2024, finding the net against Poland while playing as a central forward. His tournament was also affected by a difficult period, including a broken nose.

Dembele could move centrally

Zidane is expected to build his attack around Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise.

Asked where the three players would play, Zidane replied: “In their positions.”

He expanded on his approach by saying: “You know, it depends on the way we play. Players can play in several positions.”

Those comments raise the possibility of Dembele being used as France’s central striker, a role he has taken on at Paris Saint-Germain since being repositioned by Luis Enrique.

Christophe Dugarry, France’s 1998 World Cup winner and an analyst for RMC, believes the combination should be tested.

“I prefer Mbappe on the left, and more importantly Dembele through the middle. I think this is an opportunity,” he said.

“I think there is something that can be worked on. I would be curious to see Dembele as a central striker for France. I want to see that. And I prefer Mbappe on the left rather than the right.”

Despite Dembele’s success as a central forward, Deschamps continued to select him on the wing while giving Mbappe the number nine role.

Zidane also played down the debate over Mbappe’s defensive responsibilities, describing it as a “false debate”.

His first match in charge of France will come against Turkey next Friday in the Nations League. France will then play three more matches against Belgium away, followed by home fixtures against Italy and Belgium.