He’s one of the best players in the world; he dominates Ligue 1, and he’s his country’s talisman. Yes, Kylian Mbappe is box office stuff.
The Paris Saint-Germain top scorer and the captain of France is still only 25 years of age but he seems to have been around forever. Mbappe still dominates the Ligue 1 2024 news headlines, not least because his future at the Parc des Princes is constantly in question, with Real Madrid frequently tipped as his next destination.
Mbappe has swept away all before him in the French league and has stayed at PSG while other big names, Lionel Messi and Neymar, have gone; but now there is a new kid in town…
Ethan Mbappe, his 17-year-old brother, has just made his PSG first-team debut and is on the cusp of establishing himself in Luis Enrique’s squad. He arrived in Paris in 2017 and scored in his first U12 appearance, and he has been in the club academy, watching his big brother’s progress over the past six campaigns.
This season, the young Mbappe has joined the first-team squad after training with the elite group over the summer. Ethan was selected in the match day squad for a 3-2 win over Nice in September but remained on the bench; and his full league debut came in December in a 3-1 win over Metz, nine days before his 17th birthday.
Kylian Mbappe scored a brace in the win and was delighted to welcome his kid brother onto the pitch as he made a late cameo appearance.
Ethan is an important figure in PSG’s U19 team and has played in all six of their UEFA Youth League group matches. But his big brother needn’t fear he’ll be upstaged on the scoring front, as Ethan is a very different type of player.
While Kylian burst onto the scene, seven years ago by displaying his electric pace and clinical finishing, particularly with his right foot, Ethan is a left-footed, cultured midfielder who can sit just in front of the defence or in a more creative role.
Always showing for the ball Ethan takes pressure off his defenders, taking short passes and then moving the play up-field. He can dictate the pace of the game and has superb ball control, as well as the eye for a killer pass.
He also presses with high energy and can overturn possession with a timely tackle. In short, Ethan is a totally different player to his brother… but he could turn out to be just as good, and that is an exciting prospect for PSG fans.
Where does Ethan fit in?
PSG have just won the Trophee des Champions and that’s the first of a collection they hope to gather this season. And while the younger Mbappe is unlikely to nail down a place in the first team in the immediate future, he may have the opportunity to play his part as Enrique rotates his squad for Ligue 1, the Champions League and the Coupe de France.
In the post-Messi and Neymar era, PSG is in a period of evolution, and Kylian Mbappe’s France team-mates Ousmane Dembele and Randal Kolo Muani have joined him in the front three, with Portugal striker Goncalo Ramos as a fourth striker.
The midfield is where Ethan Mbappe can be deployed. The attacking responsibilities lay with the flexible Vitinha, who can play across the midfield on either flank or through the centre, and summer signing Lee Kang-in.
The 22-year-old arrived from Real Mallorca having spent two seasons with the La Liga side, and he signed a five-year contract. Former Real Madrid star Marco Asensio can play either in advanced midfield or on the wing, while Spain international Fabian Ruiz operates in central midfield.
Ethan Mbappe plays a similar anchor role to 32-year-old Portuguese star Danilo Pereira, who arrived at the club in 2020 and has 18 months left on his contract. Pereira is well respected at the club and was voted vice-captain by his teammates, but Enrique will be planning for the future in this role, and the younger Mbappe may be gradually introduced.
He certainly has the potential and the pedigree, and it would be incredible to see the two Mbappe brothers lining up together for PSG. Imagine the roar at the Parc des Princes if Ethan tees up his brother for a goal!
Maybe it’s a dream, and a lot depends on Kylian Mbappe’s future, but who knows?
For now, the Parisiens are streets ahead of their Ligue 1 rivals and the Ligue 1 2024 betting odds here at SBOTOP price Enrique’s side at 1.03; and so there may well be more opportunities for Mbappe Mark Two to show just how good he can become.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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