Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid: Where does the striker fit in Carlo Ancelotti’s star-studded attack? | Football news

Jude Bellingham let Vinicius Jr. slot home and Real Madrid’s most important striker pair had done it. A Champions League trophy without a recognised world-class number 9 in the team.

Before, during and after Saturday’s win over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley, the focus was on Carlo Ancelotti, who has given Real another success since losing Karim Benzema to Saudi Arabia last summer. Now it’s all about how another French striker can take them to new levels.

Kylian Mbappe joins Real Madrid after being turned down by the Spanish giants three times. Once after a trial with Real’s U12 team, then twice in favour of PSG in 2017 and 2022. Now he will arrive at the Bernabeu when his new team needs him most.

“The only thing we are missing is the clinical number nine,” said Bellingham after the Champions League final on Saturday.

“If he came and gave us that, we would be in a really great position and could reach a new level. One of the best players in the world!”

Real will now have their world-class number 9 – arguably one of the best around. The problem is, what happens to players like Vinicius and Bellingham after their heroics not only at Wembley, but throughout the season?

Ancelotti responded to the loss of Benzema by not replacing him outright, but instead introducing a 4-3-1-2 formation with Vinicius and Rodrygo taking over the wide spaces as “split strikers”, allowing new signing Bellingham to venture freely behind them at the top of a midfield diamond.

It’s a front three that won’t break up in terms of transfer sales. Vinicius and Bellingham – with 24 and 23 goals respectively this season – have been the two most important players for Real this season. Rodrygo has promised to stay in the Spanish capital next season, despite rumours linking him with a move.

But now Mbappe is Real Madrid’s crown jewel after scoring 256 goals in 308 games in the French capital. But how does the former PSG number 7 become Real Madrid’s most important man without taking anything away from current Real number 7 Vinicius, who is arguably one of the best players in the world?

A problem could arise as Mbappe and Vinicius have both played in the same position this season – and the Brazilian will not give in.

“Vinicius has really made the left side his. That is his best position,” said Spanish football journalist Semra Hunter Sky Sports News.

“Let’s assume Ancelotti sticks with a 4-4-2 system next season, with Jude Bellingham at the top of the midfield diamond.

“This means Vinicius and Mbappe can start in a two-pronged attack, just as Vinicius and Rodrygo have done this season.”

Given the Brazilian striker’s key role in Real’s recent Champions League success, it will not be easy for Ancelotti to replace Rodrygo.

The Italian coach would leave out the player who scored goals in both legs of this season’s quarter-final win over Manchester City that almost resulted in a Champions League defeat for Real. And will Mbappe even accept Rodrygo’s current role as ‘right striker’ to make way for Vinicius?

There is an argument that Rodrygo rarely plays on the right wing despite being the “right striker”. Two seasons ago, Ancelotti said the 23-year-old had “so much potential as a centre-forward or second striker”, implying that his role in Real’s 4-3-1-2 is as central as it seems – making it perfect for Mbappe, who always preferred the No. 9 role to a wide position at PSG.

Or could all four – Mbappe, Vinicius, Rodrygo and Bellingham – play together in an ultra-attacking Ancelotti plan? He had used a 4-3-3 formation for years at Real Madrid before Benzema’s departure, so it would not be an unusual move.

“Rodrygo is more tactically flexible – he can play on the right, left or as a number 10,” added Hunter.

“He could play 4-3-3, with Mbappe in the middle and Vinicius and Rodrygo on the wings. But that means he would have to sacrifice a midfielder and they are so strong in that area. I don’t think that will happen too often.”

Mbappe is not the only new signing at Real this summer. Brazilian youngster Endrick is another great option in the ranks. Given the 17-year-old’s exploits for club and country, it would not be surprising if he had something to say in this debate.

But the teenager will develop at his own pace as the world looks to Mbappe as the man Real Madrid sign to dominate Europe.

And if they win Champions League titles without him, what will the Spanish giants achieve with him?