France World Cup winner Frank Lebouef has called for Kylian Mbappe to be dropped for tonight’s Euro 2024 semi-final against Spain, claiming there is no point in playing the Real Madrid striker “at 50 per cent” fit.
Mbappe is struggling to overcome the effects of the broken nose he suffered in France’s opening game against Austria.
He has laboured on with the use of a face mask but a France player has yet to score a single goal from open play in the tournament – they have reached the last four courtesy of two own goals and an Mbappe penalty.
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Lebouef, who won the World Cup in 1998 and the European Championship two years later with current Les Bleus boss Didier Deschamps as captain, believes the 25-year-old should be left out against Spain.
He told Get French Football News: “I think there is a real Kylian Mbappe problem. If you are injured and you can’t play at 100 per cent, you can only play at 50 per cent, then you shouldn’t play.
“For me, you’re not serving France well and you’re not serving yourself well, because you’re criticised, you can’t play to your best level. I can’t see the use in playing Mbappe at 50 per cent – I think that Bradley Barcola would do better.”
Ousmane ‘what a shame’ Dembele
Ousmane Dembele is set to be recalled to the starting XI for the game in Munich but Lebouef believes he flatters to deceive, adding: “Then Ousmane Dembele – I call him ‘What A Shame!’ – as in ooooOOOOOH – aaah, what a shame!
“It drives me mad! He’s like [Leroy] Sane for Germany – there are players like that – who excite you when they get the ball … and then nothing.”
𝑫𝑬́𝑻𝑬𝑹𝑴𝑰𝑵𝑬́𝑺 😤
RDV demain pour la demi-finale de l’Euro ! 🇪🇸🇫🇷 #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/2IjTvVKGfy— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) July 8, 2024
Antoine Griezmann has looked a shadow of his usual self in Germany and Lebouef thinks Deschamps needs to think about leaving him about as well.
He said: “I think that he’s tired. I think the season that he had at Atletico – which was extraordinary – wore him out. Maybe Didier needs to think about changing players, maybe [Olivier] Giroud could be an option?
“I know that against Spain we’ll play on the counter-attack so maybe Giroud isn’t the right player for that. But there are maybe things to try – there is [Kingsley] Coman too. But there are quality players, players who are very quick.
“Spain will attack so maybe there will be space for France behind their defensive line. But you have to pick the right players.”
Collective blame for goalscoring woe
Asked who was to blame for France’s struggles in front of goal, Lebouef said: “Deschamps has 50 per cent of the responsibility as coach, and the players have 50 per cent of the responsibility.
“When Dembele shoots over the bar it’s not Deschamps’ fault – he’s picked a player who is capable of scoring goals, yet every shot he has goes over the bar.
“The same for Mbappe – he can’t run because he’s constantly adjusting his mask. But then there are decisions that have to be taken. They might hurt some players but it’s France.”
