Kylian Mbappé is single-handedly buying Mourinho time on lineup calls that would sink another coach
Kylian Mbappé has been excellent for Real Madrid so far this season, scoring seven goals with one assist in only six games in all competitions. If it were not for Mbappé, pressure would have been mounting on José Mourinho.
Many fans were shocked to see Mourinho appointed as Real Madrid manager last summer. He is not the same boss who became the club's manager back in 2010 after winning the Champions League with Inter Milan.
Football has moved on since the days when Mourinho's defensive style of play would win titles. Mourinho has not been able to get the same jobs as he once did, with his last four roles being Tottenham Hotspur, AS Roma, Fenerbahçe, and Benfica.
These are desperate times for Real Madrid as they have not won a trophy in the last two seasons. Last season, they had the highly rated Xabi Alonso in charge, but he failed to manage the big egos at the club. This led to him being sacked after seven months and replaced by Álvaro Arbeloa.
Mourinho was also inheriting a squad with players who would not suit his system. He likes defensive players, and having Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back was never going to be a match made in heaven.
Can Kylian Mbappé continue to bail out Jose Mourinho?
Denzel Dumfries was signed from Inter to compete with Alexander-Arnold. However, the Dutchman's form has been poor. Dumfries struggled against his former club, Inter, in the Champions League. However, fortunately, Mbappé and Federico Valverde were on hand that day to win the game for Real Madrid.
In the recent 1-0 loss to Real Betis in La Liga, Dumfries was replaced by Alexander-Arnold in the 64th minute. Unfortunately, Mbappé was not on hand to bail out Mourinho's side from that result.
Mourinho is insistent on playing Dumfries, despite his mixed performances. He again played 90 minutes in the 4-1 win over Rayo Vallecano last weekend, where Mbappé scored a brace. Alexander-Arnold was left on the bench in a game where he would have flourished.
Alexander-Arnold has started just once in La Liga this season, and was even deployed in central midfield against Inter. Mourinho will be stubborn in carrying on to play Dumfries over the Englishman. However, the manager will need Mbappé to keep up his great form to cover up his lineup calls.
Luckily for Mourinho, Mbappé is one of the best forwards in the game. However, the Frenchman may not be able to always be there to win games for Real Madrid.
