Welcome it’s Raj from 3CB.
PSG striker and French phenom Kylian Mbappe is an elite goal scorer with tremendous pace
but he’s far more than just a so-called speed or tap in merchant.
In this video, I detail some key skills that make Mbappe such a dynamic force and one of
the best players in the world.
Mbappe has excellent spatial and positional awareness.
On this play he sits down in a pocket of space to open up a passing channel from Di Maria
plays the return ball, and then immediately moves towards net which puts him in a great
position to react to the deflected ball.
Here he moves up into the pocket to collect the ball, immediately recognizes Cavani’s
run and plays the pass, and then attacks the open space with a mirroring run.
This is a prime example of a play that looks like a tap-in but in reality, Mbappe created
and finished the move.
This is a nuanced play but I love this one.
Mbappe bends his run to both give Neymar a better passing channel and cut off the defender’s
angle to make a play.
Kylian is often 1-2 steps ahead with elite anticipation.
I call this mental speed.
Mbappe and a defender both fall down as the corner comes in, Mbappe gets eyes on Julian
Draxler’s hit and anticipates a potential deflection - he’s literally the only player
on the screen who’s moving while the rest are simply ball watching.
Elite reading of the game and probabilities.
Mbappe is 2 steps ahead of the defender on this play.
He moves towards the ball and checks over his shoulder to gauge the defender positioning
and space.
He anticipates the defender coming tight on a straight line so he lets the ball run, quick
turn and egg on the face.
Brilliant.
Mbappe combines his mental and physical speed to carve out superb diagonal runs.
He reads the build-up play and open space to make an extended diagonal run and create
a gaping passing channel and scoring opportunity.
Mbappe recognizes the space and flat defensive line and turns on his jets to make this deadly
diagonal run into the passing channel.
Beautiful outside of the foot ball and off to the races.
Blonde Mbappe reads the space and makes a great diagonal run into the box.
Watch how Neymar is about to enter that space but recognizes the run and stops while Mbappe
continues, creating this chance.
One of Kylian’s greatest skills is his composure and ability to hold his nerve.
On this play, the keeper is closing down quickly to shut down the angle and Kylian waits until
the keeper commits to ground and then coolly chips the ball over him.
Mbappe holds his run to stay onside but the ball is played behind him.
He doesn’t panic and quickly adjusts for the back heel.
Incredible
He gets played 1v1 vs the keeper
and uses a shot feint to circle the keeper with ease.
Makes it look so easy.
Lastly, Mbappe frequently showcases a combination of all these skills.
Here he tracks back in defense and cuts out the wide passing angle.
He gets on the ball and recognizes the space behind the defender and easily accelerates
by him.
Now he’s 1v1 on an angle and knows he has the defender backpedaling so he calmly feints
the shot to turn the defender and coolly finishes near post.
Arguably my favorite play of the bunch considering the stakes, late in the Champions League quarterfinals
against Atalanta.
Mbappe is intently watching Neymar and once Neymar begins to turn his body, Kylian - who
already has recognized the open and suboptimal defender positioning - makes a tight diagonal run.
He then holds his nerve and executes a basic centering ball to seal PSG’s win.