“With Kylian, we are not a couple but almost”: Luis Enrique talks about his relationship with Mbappé at PSG

2023-12-19 15:07:21

One last effort before the holidays. This Wednesday, PSG welcomes Metz, 14th in Ligue 1, for the last day of the first leg matches. Already assured of the honorary title of autumn champion, Paris must continue to keep its distance from Nice and Monaco. Luis Enrique was this Tuesday at midday at a press conference at the Poissy Campus.

You promise a stronger PSG in 2024. What are the areas for progress?

LUIS ENRIQUE. We continue to progress, I am convinced of that. Maybe I’m wrong. If I’m wrong I’ll be criticized but that doesn’t matter. I saw the beginning of my career in the reviews. I’m used to it. That’s my role as a coach. I see my team improving from game to game. There is one match left. I would like to offer one last victory before switching to 2024.

Why do you keep changing elevens from one match to the next?

I have a lot of very good players. I manage my workforce by giving everyone an opportunity if they deserve it. I give everyone a chance. To be competitive over eleven months, you have to give everyone a chance. I prefer to rotate, I’ve always worked like that.

What do you think of the draw for the round of 16 of the Champions League which pits you against Real Sociedad?

I’m happy with the draw because I really wanted to return to Spain. We hoped so, especially to see our loved ones. We know the Real Sociedad team very well, with players that I had under my command in the national team. San Sebastian is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain. We know it will be difficult. They beat Inter, the last finalist in the Champions League. They have clear ideas, they play football very well. We know what awaits us.

Ousmane Dembélé is out and Alexandre Letellier is the victim of an attack. What more can you tell us about this?

I have no more information than that in the medical bulletin.

What are your goals for the rest of the season?

We are still at the beginning of our journey. It’s a step for the club, with many recruits. I am more than satisfied with this start to the season, with the results. Such a difficult Champions League group gave us strength. We are first in the standings and this is the place we want to occupy all season. The option to fight for all the titles is missing so we will have to see what happens next.

In Lille, you tested a 3-6-1. Will we see him against Metz?

I’m not going to give any indication to Metz but yes, I liked what we did in Lille. We must be unpredictable for the opponent. I like to change from one match to another, to get the players out of their comfort zone.

How would you describe your relationship with Kylian Mbappé?

She’s perfect, as always. We’re not a couple, but almost. He’s the one who doesn’t want to! I don’t know why you often ask me this question. With Kylian from the start, we have always been close. He smiles, he makes jokes and I like to laugh too. I am delighted with it but not only with him. With everyone, I have a great relationship even if I know that the players who play less are less happy.

Kylian Mbappé celebrates his 25th birthday this Wednesday. How do you assess his career so far?

He is really super young! (admiring) He’s my son’s age. I hope he will still have a lot of success here at PSG and that we will help him develop at PSG. It’s a chance to have a player like him in a squad. His numbers, his statistics are already very impressive. He is at the top of world football.

Metz is fighting to maintain its position. What match are you expecting?

It’s a difficult match because it’s a team that holds the ball less than Lille. She will play very low, very withdrawn. We will have to see how to attack spaces, find depth, how to exploit them. We must overcome these obstacles to offer a great evening to our supporters before the holidays.

How do you rate Kang-In Lee’s performance?

He is a player perhaps unknown to those who did not follow La Liga. He’s a superstar in Korea, we saw that there. He played right winger, left winger, midfield, several positions. He also defends. He has significant technical abilities. He sacrifices himself for the team. It’s good to have such a young player with so much quality. He is also smiling and friendly. It has it all.