Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has expressed no concerns over Kylian Mbappe’s slow start to life at the Bernabéu. The French striker, who joined the Spanish giants as a free agent from Paris Saint-Germain in June, has yet to find the back of the net in his opening two La Liga games.
Despite a promising start with a goal on his debut in the UEFA Super Cup final against Atalanta, Mbappe has struggled in a draw at Mallorca and a narrow home win against Real Valladolid.
However, Ancelotti remains confident in Mbappe’s abilities and believes his adaptation to the team and his new center-forward role will take time.
“His last goal was on August 14th. It has only been two weeks since, that is no reason to worry. Neither we are not worried as a club, nor him,” Ancelotti told a press conference on Wednesday.
He added: “He is very happy here, delighted, sure he wants to score in the next game. So does Vinicius, who has yet to score this season and I don’t see him worried either.”
Ancelotti also pointed to the departure of veteran midfielder Toni Kroos and the need for the team to adapt to the arrival of Aurelien Tchouameni as factors contributing to the team’s slow start.
“Every year has its own challenge because there are changes in the structure of a team, the system that is implemented,” Ancelotti said. “Last year we also needed time at the start of the season, we needed a late goal to get a result in many games. It will take some time until we find our mojo and the best version of ourselves but it’s a normal thing,” he added.
“I didn’t ask Toni Kroos to be Aurelien Tchouameni last year, just as I won’t ask Tchouameni to be Kroos. Each player has his own characteristics. The team has to adapt to the characteristics that Tchouameni has, which are very important for us.”
Real Madrid are currently fifth in the La Liga standings on four points, five behind leaders Barcelona.
