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Mbappe’s Reduced Playing Time At PSG May Benefit France – Deschamps
Manager Didier Deschamps has highlighted the potential positive impact of Kylian Mbappe’s reduced playing time at Paris Saint-Germain in recent weeks on the France national team’s upcoming campaigns, including the European Championship and_ the Olympic Games.
The PSG forward and France captain, who announced his decision to depart the club as a free agent at the end of the season, has notably seen limited game time since February 14, featuring in only three matches where he played the full 90 minutes.
These matches include a crucial 2-1 victory over Real Sociedad in the Champions League, a 3-1 win against Nice in the French Cup, and a dominant 6-2 performance in the league against Montpellier last Sunday. By strategically managing Mbappe’s game time and_ workload, PSG and_ Deschamps aim to ensure that the star forward remains in optimal physical condition and peak form for the upcoming international tournaments.
When asked about Mbappe’s game time, Deschamps told reporters on Monday: “It’s important to be physically fresh for a major competition. In any case, all the players will arrive at the end of the season feeling a little tired.”
“If that fatigue can be reduced a little (all the better),” the French coach added ahead of a friendly against Germany on March 23.
Kylian Mbappe, who has been on transfer rumours linking him to Real Madrid, expressed his desire to compete in the Paris Olympics this summer. However, a potential transfer to the La Liga leaders could potentially hinder his participation in the event.
Thierry Henry, the coach of the France under-23 team, disclosed on Monday that Real Madrid had declined a request to release players for the Olympic Games, indicating the challenges Mbappe may face in balancing club commitments with his aspirations to represent France at the Olympics.