Mbappe under fire! Does Real Madrid striker deserve early criticism?

Kylian Mbappe is already under pressure at Real Madrid, despite having played only two LaLiga games for his new club.

Such are the expectations on the free transfer, after two league games without a goal, questions are already being asked of the former PSG striker, particularly with Endrick having opened his account.

Mbappe did not finish 2024/25 well, scoring in only five of his last 14 competitive games for club and country. Is it already time for Madrid to question their investment?

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Carlo Ancelotti certainly doesn’t think so.

Speaking after the 3-0 win over Real Valladolid on Sunday, the Italian was forced to defend the signing from an aggressive line of questioning from the press: “He’s a spectacular striker, very fast, very good without the ball. He attacks from deep, he had three or four good chances today.

“He doesn’t need to move to the left or the right, in the end, he will score goals.”

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Why is Mbappe struggling?

Firstly, it should be pointed out that Mbappe’s problems are, at this stage, being overblown.

He has played only two league matches, while on debut he managed to score in the European Super Cup. One goal in three goals is hardly catastrophic.

On top of this, his performances in LaLiga have been quietly solid, as Ancelotti alluded to.

FootballCritic gave Mbappe a rating of 6.9 against Real Mallorca on the opening day of the season, while he achieved 7.0 against Valladolid. These are not terrible numbers. It’s not Cristiano Ronaldo, of course, but it’s not a bad start.

Mbappe, meanwhile, will have a natural adaption process. He’s gone from being the clear star at PSG to just another player at Real Madrid, where the supporters already have their favourites in the form of Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham. Mbappe was previously established as PSG’s undoubted ace, a favourite of the supporters even when Lionel Messi and Neymar were at the club.

Furthermore, he’s being used as a centre-forward, a position he openly complained about having to play at PSG. Now, he’s not about to revolt against Ancelotti for being deployed as a No.9, but he’s clearly better off the left, which is a role Vinicius Junior will occupy. This is something else he’s going to have to get used to.

It’s too early for Madrid to be pressing the panic button on Mbappe. As Ancelotti says, the goals will come – but will that be enough to satisfy a press craving Ronaldo’s heir?