Kylian Mbappe wouldn’t thrive at Man City under Pep Guardiola, says France World Cup winner

Kylian Mbappe would waste his talent should he link up with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

That is the view of ex-Chelsea defender and 1998 World Cup winner Marcel Desailly, who has advised the 24-year-old against signing for the Premier League winners.

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Mbappe is set to depart Les Parisiens next summer on a free transfer when his contract expires.

It is believed that his next destination will be Real Madrid, though some football fans are holding out hope he joins City where he would play alongside Erling Haaland.

But speaking to Gambling Zone, Desailly believes that his French compatriot lacks the necessary discipline to play for the English giants.

His comments come after ex-City left-back Gael Clichy, who won two Premier League titles at the Etihad Stadium, declared it would be ‘game over’ for the rest of the division if he joined the reigning champions.

Disagreeing with Clichy’s view, Desailly has argued that Mbappe’s attacking ability would be stifled, stating Guardiola has ‘killed’ Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish’s creativity.

He said: “I know Clichy said he’d thrive at City, but It won’t be easy if Mbappe goes to City.

“It sounds strange, but I don’t think Mbappe is meant to play for City. There is too much discipline.

“In France, we say that the way City play doesn’t leave much room for individuals. With all their passing, they don’t really suit players who want to take defenders on.

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“They pass, they move. Silva and Grealish both have the ability to play number ten, but that’s been killed by Guardiola’s philosophy. 

“He wants them to stay on their side, get the ball, show speed, play the balls, and receive the ball back, and play one-twos.

“Mbappe doesn’t do that. He uses the ball to make the difference.

“The other players will look at him with confusion as he’s not supposed to do that!

“There’ll be a drop in his confidence if he doesn’t start well there, either. He’s a top player, but not a Man City player.”

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