One thing Kylian Mbappe must change when he joins Real Madrid to avoid serious problems

Real Madrid are prepared to welcome Kylian Mbappe to the Santiago Bernabeu this summer after the most drawn-out transfer saga in recent memory.

Mbappe’s PSG suffered a humbling defeat over two legs in the Champions League semifinals, as the French superstar followed up a brace in a Remontada over Barcelona with two poor individual performances against underdogs Dortmund.

Real Madrid fans shouldn’t be worried about Mbappe’s displays against Dortmund. As disappointing as they were, he’s had positive big-game performances, both this year against Barcelona nad last year for France in the World Cup.

However, Real Madrid should be concerned about one aspect of Mbappe’s game that has been criticized by other managers, including his current coach Luis Enrique.

CIES Football Observatory used data to evaluate the forwards who scored the lowest defensive work rates, and Kylian Mbappe was third overall and worst among wingers.

Only Getafe’s Mason Greenwood and Roma’s Romelu Lukaku, who has been very disappointing for the Giallorossi this season, scored lower in defensive work rate.

Real Madrid have been one of the strongest defensive teams in Europe this season, allowing just 22 goals in 34 matches played, despite losing Thibaut Courtois, David Alaba, and Eder Militao for the season to injury.

Part of what makes Real Madrid so good defensively is the mentality all 11 starters have. The forwards play a key role in defending, and that is something ingrained in the squad.

Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes, and Jude Bellingham are elite attacking players, but they are all willing and capable of helping the team defensively.

If Kylian Mbappe wants to fit in at Real Madrid and be a part of a winning team with a winning mentality in the Champions League, then he needs to step up and do his part.

He can’t hide behind Enrique being unfair or being held to a high standard. Mbappe needs to work harder defensively, because th data shows he isn’t pulling his weight in that regard.

Real Madrid will not tolerate that. They will expect Mbappe to work as hard as Vinicius Jr. or Rodrygo. There are no free rides at the Bernabeu, and Mbappe will need to show that he wants to be there as badly as his teammates.