Chelsea defender and French footballer Wesley Fofana defended Kylian Mbappe following a recent backslash on the France teammate.
Fofana came out in defence of the France captain after reports emerged that he had been in a nightclub in Sweden on the night of his team’s UEFA Nations League win over Israel.
Why Kylian Mbappe missed out of France squad for October international break
Mbappe missed out on France’s double-header UEFA Nations League fixture in the October international break despite being available and fit for selection.
France head coach Didier Deschamps revealed he doesn’t want to take chances with the Real Madrid forward since he recently returned from the sidelines.
However, critics had lambasted the player for intentionally ruling himself out of the matches while being available for Real Madrid games.
The criticisms got louder when reports emerged he was wilding away the night France played Israel in a steamy and high-octane nightclub in Sweden.
Speaking in an interview, Wesley Fofana blasted critics for unfair criticism of Mbappe, insisting he is a top player and a professional.
“People can do what they want with their free time,” Chelsea defender Fofana told a news conference Saturday. “It isn’t something we [the France squad] have talked about today, I hadn’t heard about this story.
“He does what he wants; he is a great guy and a great professional. Are we making too much of it? I don’t know. He’s the best French player, so it’s normal that it is very publicized.
“I think that from time to time [the media] go a little too far. You should ask Kylian Mbappé for more information.”
The forward picked up a muscle injury in September but made an earlier-than-scheduled return to the pitch in the Champions League on Oct. 2 as Madrid suffered a shock defeat to Lille, and started their subsequent LaLiga game against Villarreal after being omitted from Didier Deschamps.
Guendozi also defends Mbappe
Lazio midfielder Matteo Guendouzi, who found the back of the net in the 4-1 over Israel also defended Kylian Mbappe, saying he didn’t flout any rule having time for himself during the matchday.
Guendozi added that Mbappe is free to do what he wants on his days off since he is not committed to any club or international duties.
Also, he went ahead to assert the player’s commitment to the national team is down-to-earth and cannot be questioned.
“We have no doubts about Kylian. … There is no question about his passion [for his country],” he said. “He loves his country; he will continue to help us. We must stop talking about it too much.
“He has days off; he can do what he wants.”
France didn’t miss Kylian Mbappe’s absence as they romped to a 4-1 away victory over Israel. Goals from Eduardo Camavinga, Christopher Nkunku, Guendozi, and Bradley Barcola saw Les Bleus roast the The Chosen Team at the Bozik Arena.
They will return to action against Belgium for the concluding fixture before the end of the break. Mbappe has been key to the team and was recently elevated to the rank of captain. Hence, the critical French media expects more from the footballer.
Having been ruled out of action for the October international break, he is more likely to make his Return to the team in November when they will play Israel and Italy in another UEFA Nations League fixture.
