“Going through a difficult period" - Didier Deschamps backs Kylian Mbappe to get back to his best, reiterates stance on France future

France boss Didier Deschamps has no doubt that striker Kylian Mbappe would soon return to scoring ways. The 26-year-old is going through a slump of sorts, having scored just once in seven games across competitions for Real Madrid.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner has also been left out of the squad during the last two international breaks - including the current one. Deschamps didn't include Mbappe in the squad during the October international break due to 'psychological' issues, as per The Athletic, following rape allegations during a Sweden visit.

Mbappe's non-inclusion during the ongoing November international break has been attributed by the coach due to fitness issues rather than his barren run in front of goal or off-field incidents.

Deschamps told Telefoot (via Football Espana) that Mbappe should soon strike gold again:

“There’s no reason to think he will not return to his best. I want him to, and I don’t see why he won’t. He’s going through a difficult period, but he has everything to recover his best form.

“You tell me I’m crazy for playing him at centre forward, but his last two coaches at club level played him centrally. He doesn’t have the profile of Olivier Giroud, so it depends on the team you’re playing against.”

It's pertinent to note that Mbappe has played in a rather unfamiliar centre-forward postiion under Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid despite seemingly being more comfortable out wide.

---

How has Kylian Mbappe fared this season?

Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe

Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe made a goalscoring debut for his new club - whom he joined this summer on a free transfer after a seven-season spell at Paris Saint-Germain.

The Frenchman netted his side's second goal in their 2-0 win over UEFA Europa League winners Atalanta in Warsaw in the UEFA Super Cup. However, Mbappe has struggled in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.

In 11 outings in the league - where Los Blancos trail leaders Barcelona by six points (having played a game less) - Mbappe has six goals and an assist. Meanwhile, in the Champions League, he has a goal and an assist in four games, not scoring in his last three, with Los Blancos losing two of those matches.

Mbappe will hope to return to goalscoring form when Carlo Ancelotti's side return to action after the international break with a La Liga trip to Leganes on November 24.