Real Madrid: Remember, Kylian Mbappe would offer more than goals
Real Madrid know they need to make an upgrade this summer and sign a true star forward. For three straight seasons, Los Blancos have had just one true scoring threat in their side, forcing legendary Karim Benzema to carry the load all on his own. And we all know that Benzema is at his best when he can be both a scorer and a provider; he needs help.
That help could come in the form of Kylian Mbappe, who has been Madrid’s dream target for years. Florentino Perez has long circled the year 2021 as the time to make a push for Mbappe, who, for his part, has yet to sign a lucrative contract extension with PSG. The understanding is that he is leaving the door open for Real Madrid to make a move.
Although this proverbial door remains open, it will not be easy for Real Madrid to sign Mbappe, given the pandemic situation and the economic toll it has taken on the club. But Mbappe is still a possibility, and Perez, surely, intends on doing what he can to make a signing.
If Mbappe does join Real Madrid as their newest Galactico and the face of the franchise, he will be bringing a lot more than goals. Yes, the goals are what Madridistas crave the most, but as a true superstar player, Mbappe adds so much more to an attack than one statistic.
Kylian Mbappe could set a career high for assists this season
Look at his production so far in the 2020-2021 season. Mbappe has 16 goals in Ligue 1 and five goals in the Champions League after posting a hat trick at the Camp Nou. But he also has five assists in Ligue 1 and three assists in the Champions League. Had Mauro Icardi been better at Barcelona, Mbappe could have added a fourth assist to his tally this week.
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In Ligue 1, per WhoScored.com, Mbappe is averaging one key pass per game and 2.9 dribbles completed per game. Not bad for a guy with nearly one goal per start. But those numbers shoot up to 2.2 key passes per game and 4.5 dribbles completed per game in the Champions League, which is downright scary. Mbappe is also drawing 2.2 fouls per game in Europe’s premier competition.
The 22-year-old is one of those players who brings his best in the big games. Last year’s Champions League Final was an anomaly. This week’s performance at Barcelona, as well as his entire World Cup, are more par for the course for Mbappe.
After recording eight assists in Ligue 1 with Monaco in 2016-2017 and eight more in 2017-2018 as a first-year PSG star, Mbappe is on track to set a new record for assists in the 2020-2021 season despite also threatening to match his 33 goals from 2018-2019, in which he had seven assists. His 2.9 dribbles completed per game in league play would be his highest since the 2017-2018 season, as well.
Mbappe can win off the dribble and create for teammates. He is not a creator first, but he is capable of making smart passes and squaring the ball to better options. Now imagine that creation at Real Madrid, working with the likes of Karim Benzema and the ascending talents of Vinicius Junior and, especially, Rodrygo Goes.
Next. Ranking Cristiano Ronaldo's best goals for Real Madrid. dark
There is a fluidity and comprehensiveness to Mbappe’s game. The goals make him the highest-priced player in world football, but if it were all about goals, Erling Haaland would be more valuable, right? But Mbappe is at the top of the list, and that is precisely because he brings an extra factor with his technical class, agility, and developing chance-creation chops.