"Tries some really challenging moves" - Pundit claims Kylian Mbappe is trying to copy former PSG teammate Neymar Jr's playstyle
Former France footballer Kevin Diaz recently expressed his concerns about Kylian Mbappe's evolving playstyle. He noted that the French superstar seems to be adopting some of the flashier and more complex techniques often associated with his former Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) teammate, Neymar Jr.
According to Diaz, Kylian Mbappe's attempt to mirror Neymar's flamboyant approach could come at the cost of efficiency and effectiveness if not executed with confidence. He told RMC Sport (via GOAL):
''When he’s on the ball, he tries some really challenging moves. Ever since he played with Neymar, it seems like he’s been trying to copy him with complex techniques. Sure, Kylian Mbappe has great technical skills, but when you’re not feeling confident, it’s like Thierry Henry says: just stick to what you know and do it well.’’
At his best, Kylian Mbappe is a direct and devastating player who uses his pace to stretch defenses and his finishing prowess to punish opponents. Neymar, on the other hand, is a more creative force, often playing deeper and orchestrating attacks with his dribbling and vision.
Neymar Jr and Kylian Mbappe joined PSG in the summer of 2017. The former arrived from Barcelona on a reported fee of €222 million to become the world’s most expensive player to date. The latter joined from AS Monaco, initially on loan, a few days later after the Brazilian. The French giants, however, did sign Mbappe permanently the following season in a deal worth €180 million.
How Kylian Mbappe and Neymar fared together at PSG
Neymar and Kylian Mbappé had an impressive partnership during their time together at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Both joined the club in the summer of 2017—Neymar from Barcelona and Mbappé from AS Monaco. Their combined attacking prowess was a significant factor in PSG's dominance in French football.
Both players developed strong on-field chemistry. Their footballing abilities complemented each other well, with Neymar's flair and creativity combined with Mbappé's speed and finishing ability. They shared the pitch 136 times, combining for 54 goals.
During their time together at the French capital, they won a plethora of domestic titles, including the Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and the Coupe de la Ligue. Despite their domestic success, PSG's Champions League campaigns were somewhat disappointing during their tenure.
They reached the final in the 2019-2020 season but lost to Bayern Munich. They were also knocked out in the Round of 16 in other seasons.
Also, both players also had periods of injury and form fluctuations, which sometimes affected their performances and availability. Neymar, for example, struggled with injuries in some seasons, which adversely affected his consistency and partnership with Mbappe. The Brazilian left for Al-Hilal in 2023 while the Frenchman left earlier this summer and joined Real Madrid.