PSG Thrives Without Kylian Mbappé
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has been on a remarkable run in both the UEFA Champions League and Ligue 1, unexpectedly finding a new level of performance without Kylian Mbappé. After a challenging start to the Champions League, the team has secured impressive victories over Manchester City, VfB Stuttgart, and Stade Brestois. Most recently, they secured a hard-fought 3-2 win in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League knockout play-off against Rennes. This success has sparked a debate: are PSG actually better without their former star, Kylian Mbappé?
The Mbappé Departure and Its Impact
Last summer, Mbappé made the surprising move to join Real Madrid as a free agent, leaving PSG to navigate a season without one of their key players. The immediate challenge was clear: replacing the production of a player as prolific and influential as Mbappé. However, PSG has managed to adapt through a collective effort, with Ousmane Dembélé emerging as a standout performer. Dembélé has been on a scoring spree, with 15 goals in the 2025 season, demonstrating his ability to carry the goal-scoring burden.
The Cristiano Ronaldo Comparison
CBS Sports pundit Mike Grella has compared Mbappé to Cristiano Ronaldo, highlighting a similar "Ronaldo effect" that can sometimes detract from a team’s overall performance. Grella explained, "In a weird way, [Mbappé] has the [Cristiano] Ronaldo effect toward the end of his career… his time back at Manchester United, his time at Juventus, his time at some of these clubs where he’s such a big personality and such a big player that sometimes the team plays worse because of it." This comparison underscores the idea that the presence of such dominant personalities can sometimes disrupt team dynamics, as other players feel pressured to cater to their star’s needs.
Mbappé’s Positional Influence
Grella further elaborated on Mbappé’s role, noting that despite being a natural winger, he is often moved centrally due to his star status. "Really, he should play where Vini plays or where Rodrygo plays. But he plays centrally because it’s Mbappé, because he has to score goals, because he’s the big signing." This central positioning can sometimes create imbalance and force the team to adjust their tactics, potentially detracting from their overall effectiveness. There are instances where Real Madrid, for instance, performed better without Mbappé, suggesting that his absence might have a positive impact on the team’s cohesion and strategy.
Dembélé’s Stellar Form
The rise of Ousmane Dembélé has been a significant factor in PSG’s success. Recently, OptaJean highlighted that Dembélé has scored in each of his last eight matches across all competitions, a streak that matches the best ever for a PSG player. This remarkable run places him in the company of legends like Neymar, Carlos Bianchi, and Kylian Mbappé himself. Dembélé’s consistency and goal-scoring prowess have not only filled the void left by Mbappé but have also inspired a more cohesive and balanced team performance.
Looking Ahead
As PSG stands on the brink of the Round of 16 with a potential match-up against either FC Barcelona or Liverpool, the team’s current form is a testament to their adaptability and the collective efforts of their players. The absence of Kylian Mbappé has forced the team to evolve, and so far, this evolution has proven to be beneficial. While Mbappé remains a formidable talent, the recent success of PSG suggests that the team can thrive even without him, perhaps even because of it. The future looks promising for the French giants, as they continue to showcase their depth and resilience on both domestic and international stages.
