The delicate brilliance of Kylian Mbappe
He is the fearless young forward that has taken the UEFA Champions League by storm this season, and while the immense potential of Kylian Mbappe is not in question, his tender age of 18 must offer cause for caution as record-breaking bids from Europe's elite land on the mat of AS Monaco.
Mbappe came to prominence in his native France last season as a raw teenager, but his composure in front of goal is that of an experienced pro far beyond his tender years. The question now is what next for Mbappe, and will his inevitable move make or break him?
Although he has proven himself on the biggest stage this season, Mbappe has relied on the support of veteran forward Radamel Falcao to nurture his prodigious talent. This support has been way beyond that of a normal strike partner, but in terms of the protection and experience that Falcao has to offer the future star.
In addition, the unique situation of AS Monaco allows Mbappe to develop at the highest level without the usual pressure that would accompany such a young talent at any other leading club in Europe. Small crowds and a different culture embrace the 18-year-old in the Principality, and there is no doubt that the environment in which he has developed has played a crucial part in his football education and upbringing.
And that is why the next move is so important for Mbappe. The lure of Europe's elite will be great to a teenager that will have already had his head turned by the fame and fortune on offer, while even AS Monaco will be tempted by the astronomical bids currently being prepared.
It could prove win-win in a financial sense for both parties, but Mbappe is at a crucial stage of his career, and there will be an inevitable blip at some point in the near future as opponents became wise to his strengths and weaknesses. When this blip arrives, the youngster will need to be in the right environment, at the right club, with the right people around him, and without any increased pressure. Basically, he will need to be at AS Monaco.
Mbappe has shown that he is destined to be a star. His style of play and ability to finish has naturally been compared to both Thierry Henry and Nicolas Anelka. It is high praise indeed. He appears grounded, aware of his status, comfortable in his role, calm under pressure.
A little more luck on Wednesday evening and he could have scored twice in the opening exchanges against Juventus in the UEFA Champions League semi-final. Denied by the Old Lady's veteran goalkeeper and captain Gianluigi Buffon, it would not prove to be Mbappe's night as Gonzalo Higuain showed the youngster how it's done at the other end of the field to earn the visitors a 2-0 advantage heading into the return match.
The two sides will meet again in Turin next week, and the hopes of AS Monaco will again fall on the shoulders of the 18-year-old.
And success cannot be ruled out. While Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi again enjoy their usual battle to be the very best in Europe's premier club competition, Mbappe has used the competition to announce himself onto the world stage, and he is the player that everyone is talking about this season.
The most likely scenario is that Mbappe has just one match left in the Champions League this season to shine, and he will not want to waste the opportunity to make one final impression to the many potential suitors currently waxing lyrical over his immense potential and talent. If Mbappe can silence Turin on Tuesday, then everyone will finally know his name.
Regardless of whether AS Monaco enjoy unlikely Champions League success or not, the focus will quickly turn to the future of the Frenchman, and where the next step in his football education will take place.
In Spain, Real Madrid or Barcelona are the only plausible candidates for his signature, but how Mbappe will adapt to such intense media and supporter expectancy in a different country and a different language should be an initial concern. He has the talent, but will he have the psychological maturity to show it with the footballing consistency demanded by both clubs as they continue to fight for supremacy?
In England, Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola headline football in Manchester at United and City respectively, and they will have the financial power to compete for his signature. However, both clubs are desperately fighting just to qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season, and both are a long way from guaranteeing their place in the competition.
Neither manager has enjoyed a successful debut season in comparison to their financial outlay, and a huge financial investment in Mbappe would carry increased pressure as the demands for an improved campaign next season multiply.
It is vital to understand just how delicate this stage of Mbappe's fledging career is, and how crucial this summer will be to it. Many young players have faded under increased pressure, their initial surprise element expires, new demands fall upon them.
Also read: Kylian Mbappe has better stats than Messi and Ronaldo but he must reject Barcelona and Real Madrid
Their status fails to match their experience, the level of maturity needed to cope fails to match their age, the belief of the manager becomes a stick that eventually beats the manager out of a job. The resentment that follows from all corners can have a hugely negative psychological effect, but the desperation for instant success ignores the human element to signing such a prodigious teenager.
Mbappe has already set a high standard for himself, and he should not only be celebrated for what he has achieved this season, but supported to ensure that it is the first of many. He has too much talent to let premature pressure ruin his career.
His vulnerabilities should not be blamed for a high-profile manager failing to deliver because they invested in him expecting instant success. Mbappe already looks the part, but he is a human being, and more importantly a young human being at that.
His talent should not be restricted by a change in the mental strength that has taken him this far, and whoever successfully manages this incredible talent at this time in his career, should be considered a manager finally worthy of the hype.