The Key Factors Behind Real Madrid's Unstoppable Potential with Kylian Mbappe

French Forward Kylian Mbappe has become something of an icon in modern football, playing a crucial role in the club Paris Saint German

INTRODUCTION

After a storm of rumors and build-up over a couple years, French footballer Kylian Mbappe's move from Paris Saint German to Real Madrid has been all but confirmed. With a formidable team packed with rising stars, Real Madrid has been dominating Spanish, and for the most part, European football. Their signature 4-4-2 diamond, with the current center of focus - Jude Bellingham or 'Belligoal' has proved to be immensely successful and an unstoppable offensive unit. However, given the impact a player like Kylian Mbappe may bear on a team, tactical changes are imminent. Let us explore some of the changes that will make Real Madrid a modern titan with Kylian Mbappe

British midfielder Jude Bellingham has been crucial for Madrid's Success this season

MBAPPE'S CURRENT ROLE AND IMPACT

Transitioning from the left wing, Mbappe has taken up a central role in a front three consisting of Barcola, himself, and Dembele. With this central role, he assumes an advanced forward position, taking a lot of touches in the final third, with an emphasis on the central regions. This high rate of touches and involvement in the final third has made him extremely dangerous in the final third, multiplying his offensive output. Mbappe additionally has fantastic off-the-ball movements, with his signature run in from a central position, toward the right flank slipping in behind a defender, so that he can finish across the goal.

MBAPPE'S IMPACT ON REAL MADRID

With build-up usually focused on the left-wing, aided by the wonderous talents of the Brazilian Vinicius Jr., Mbappe coming to Real Madrid could see build-up shifting to the right flank, with Rodrygo, Valverde and Carvajal, to better accommodate Mbappe's signature runs in behind. This could then see Vinicius on that back post where he loves to be, picking up loose balls and creating chances.

A front three of Mbappe, Vinicius and Rodrygo is nearly unstoppable, as each of them are individually fantastic on the ball, and extremely versatile. Moving on to Madrid's immaculate midfield, Real Madrid generally opts for a structure resembling the diamond, whether it be the 4-4-2 or 4-3-1-2, with Jude Bellingham in his most dangerous position, at the tip of the diamond. But with a talented striker in Kylian Mbappe, it would be ridiculous to not shift the formation into a front three.

Real Madrid's current formation, in a 4-3-1-2 or a 4-4-2 diamond, with Jude Bellingham at the tip of it

The most obvious formation will be a 4-3-3, with Camavinga (or Tchouameni) taking up that deeper holding midfielder role, and Bellingham and Valverde transitioning into those dangerous No. 8 positions in the left and right half-spaces respectively. This will make Bellingham and Valverde start a little deeper, carrying the ball forward, with options to hold width, or enter through the half-spaces.

How Madrid may line-up with Mbappe in a 4-3-3

With this deeper role, we are likely to see the end of his goal-scoring era or “Belligoal” era. However, this deeper position will allow for him to join the build-up, and have a lot of options with the ball, and carrying it forward. With Mendy and Dani Carvajal running down the flanks, Valverde controlling the right half-space with Rodrygo taking up a more advanced role in the right flank, Vinicius in his trademark left wing position, and Bellingham in his deeper, more diverse ball carrier role, Mbappe fits in perfectly in the centre, to pick up touches and be the clinical striker that he is.

This system, with an immaculate front three in Rodrygo, Vinicius and Mbappe, a solid midfield in Bellingham, Valverde and Camavinga, with Bellingham and Valverde aiding the attack and allowing for more attacking options, and Camavinga holding down that defensive layer and controlling tempo, will be a formula for success at Madrid.

However, this of course begs the question, where will the young prodigy Endrick play? Well, with Mbappe’s experience on the left flank, I believe we could see Vinicius occasionally swapped with Mbappe, while Endrick takes up that central role, where he will be perfectly supplied, with all the movement in the flanks and width.

In conclusion, with the immense depth of the squad, and the class that Mbappe brings to the team, Real Madrid with the French forward, in this efficient line-up, could be an instant recipe for success.

Read more about the history of football tactics: https://www.uniscorefootball.xyz/post/football-history-and-the-evolution-of-football-tactics

Read our Arsenal analysis: https://www.uniscorefootball.xyz/post/the-art-of-scoring-and-the-surge-of-arsenal-under-mikel-arteta

Learn about the 4-3-3 formation and its principles: https://www.uniscorefootball.xyz/post/beginner-s-guide-to-football-analysis-understanding-the-tactics-of-the-4-3-3-formation