Mbappe shares his opinion on Real Madrid's new signings: 'I love players like this in my team'
Kylian Mbappe has praised Ibrahima Konate, Real Madrid's new signing from Liverpool, highlighting his defensive skills and his importance to the team.
Real Madrid have secured one of the most important defensive additions of this summer, with Ibrahima Konate agreeing to arrive at the Santiago Bernabeu from Liverpool. The French international is expected to officially join Real Madrid after his World Cup obligations conclude, having agreed a contract that runs until 2030.
This transfer has caused excitement among Real Madrid fans, but nothing more significant than the recent support given by Kylian Mbappe. Speaking to L'Equipe, as reported by Mundo Deportivo, Mbappe went into detail about his international teammate, explaining why Konate is considered one of the most complete defenders in European football.
Konate has made his mark as a tough defender for Liverpool and the national team over the past few years. He is physically strong, effective in passing and able to defend in large areas, making him an important player. Mbappé believes these qualities set him apart from many other centre-backs.
“He's a very aggressive defender, in the best sense. He never makes a bad move, he's tough in the tackle.
“He wants his opponent to feel like he's going to have a tough night. I love defenders like that in my team. They have courage, they are tactically flexible because they are able to hold their own in one-on-one situations, win duels and remain tactically disciplined while also blocking their opponent."
Konate's faith marks another big step in Real Madrid's ongoing defensive restructuring. The Frenchman is expected to be part of a centre-back group that already includes Antonio Rudiger, Eder Militao, Raul Asensio and Dean Huisgen. Most importantly, the signing of Konate further reinforces a trend that has been growing at Real Madrid. The club already relies heavily on a number of French international players, including Mbappé, Orléan Tchoumeni, Edouard Camavinga and Farland Mendy, who are all playing key roles within the squad. Adding Konate to this group could prove beneficial both on and off the field.