MONACO boss Leonardo Jardim says that he did not bench Kylian Mbappe as “punishment”.
The striker was left on the substitutes bench for the 4-1 rout of Dijon on Sunday.
Jardim says that Mbappe was not in peak condition for the Ligue 1 clash.
And he also reckons it is his duty to protect the 18-year-old Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain target.
Jardim explained: “Was Mbappe punished? No, not at all.
“With everything going on around an 18-year-old kid, it’s our responsibility to protect him from the storm.
“I will always protect players who need it. My philosophy is to play with players who are 100 per cent available to the squad.
“Kylian is not at 100 per cent. He’s not in shape right now.
“It was a decision from the club. That means me, vice president Vadim Vasilyev and the sporting director, Antonio Cordon. It’s our decision for the player, the squad and the club.
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
“The players must adapt to playing with any of their team-mates.
“I’ve been here a long time. I won’t cry if any player leaves. It’s not the mentality of the club to work like that.
“We will try to keep our momentum. We have our idea of the game and we’ll try to project it.”
“The transfer market is 20 per cent about buying and selling. The other 80 per cent is to cause mayhem for your opponents. It’s strategic.”
Mbappe is reportedly set for showdown talks with the club this week.
Leave a comment