Didier Deschamps has strongly come to the defense of Kylian Mbappé, stressing that the Real Madrid star will never be the type to run “11 kilometres per game” but is still a “true captain” for France. The national team coach pushed back against criticism of Mbappé’s work rate, arguing that his explosive playing style requires a different tactical approach to maximize his impact for Les Bleus.
Deschamps dismisses work rate concerns
France head coach Deschamps has stepped in to protect his key player from growing scrutiny over his defensive effort and running data. Mbappé’s performances have recently been questioned in both Spanish and French media, and Deschamps addressed the issue directly while speaking to reporters at a public event.
Observers have highlighted Mbappé’s lower distance covered compared to some teammates as proof of limited defensive contribution, especially when France are without the ball. Deschamps, however, firmly rejected this view, explaining that expecting constant high-intensity running from the 27-year-old would fail to make proper use of his unique qualities.
The World Cup-winning manager also suggested that modern analysis too often confuses effort with effectiveness. In his view, handling a player of Mbappé’s level means accepting certain compromises so that he can preserve the explosive energy needed to decide games in attacking areas.
‘He doesn’t have the profile’ to run 11km
Deschamps offered a direct assessment of his captain’s physical traits, urging supporters and analysts to reset their expectations. He explained that Mbappé is built for short, powerful bursts of speed rather than the constant endurance running associated with midfielders who shuttle box to box.
“That’s your interpretation, but I don’t agree, even if some players do run less than others. If you expect him to cover at least 11 kilometres every match, forget it — he won’t,” Deschamps said when questioned about Mbappé’s defensive tracking.
‘He behaves like a real captain’
Moving beyond the physical debate, Deschamps also challenged the image of Mbappé as distant or overly self-focused. He described the relationship between the captain and the younger members of the squad, insisting that the “selfish” label attached to him externally does not reflect the atmosphere inside the team.
“You can like Kylian or not, but the younger players love him,” Deschamps explained.
“There is this picture of him as an individualist, and while a striker does need a bit of selfishness, I can tell you that within the French national team, he behaves like a real captain.”
Mbappé on fire for club and country
Despite debate over his playing style, Mbappé’s statistics remain outstanding. He currently leads La Liga’s scoring charts with 22 goals in 21 appearances as Real Madrid sit just one point behind leaders Barcelona following the upheaval caused by Xabi Alonso’s dismissal and Álvaro Arbeloa’s appointment.
He has also scored an impressive 13 goals in only seven Champions League matches. However, that form was not enough to secure a top-eight finish, meaning Madrid must contest a play-off tie against José Mourinho’s Benfica to reach the last 16.
On the international stage, Mbappé has found the net in each of his last six outings for France, registering eight goals in that run. His consistency supports Deschamps’ confidence as preparations continue for the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
