Mbappe could be axed as France captain with Premier League star tipped for role

The 25-year-old is in the midst of his first career crisis just five months after his Real Madrid switch.

Mbappe was handed the France captaincy in March 2023, however a poor showing at Euro 2024 left many French football fans feeling short-changed by his leadership qualities.

His poor international form continued into September's internationals culminating in Antoine Griezmann - many people's preferred option for the captaincy - to abruptly call time on his France career.

Mbappe was subsequently left out of October's UEFA Nations League ties and for November's double header against Israel and Italy.

Explaining the decision to omit his captain, Deschamps said: "I had discussions with Kylian and made my decision. It's better this way. Mbappe wanted to come with us, it's not because of any other problem."

Read more on football

Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher eyed by Premier League rivals in £35m move

Bellingham will join Beckham and Owen in exclusive club with next England goal

According to French outlet L'Equipe, Mbappe's future as Les Bleus skipper is in doubt with boss Didier Deschamps set to exchange with the former PSG forward over his desire to continue captaining his country.

And that could open the door for Liverpool star Ibrahima Konate to get his hands on the prestigious armband.

Konate is one of three players linked with succeeding Mbappe as captain with N'Golo Kante and Aurelien Tchouameni also in the frame.

All three players have captained France in the last few months in Mbappe's absence.

Most read in Football

Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher eyed by Premier League rivals in £35m move

San Marino create history as they secure stunning Nations League promotion

Nine Premier League stars on list with greatest ever as stats show most important players

The extreme lengths Arsenal went to to hide Martin Odegaard's injury are revealed

Deschamps, who also skippered France during his playing days, is keen to engage in dialogue with Mbappe to ascertain whether the pressure of the captaincy has become too much for him to bear.

He will also question whether Mbappe's relationship with his teammates has broken down since being handed the armband.

Various members of the squad including Konate and more recently goalkeeper Mike Maignan took to social media in defence of Mbappe, while others have remained silent on reports that the forward had developed frosty relations with his colleagues.

L'Equipe claim they have also been made aware of rumours stating the former Paris Saint-Germain star considered resigning as captain.

The ball appears to be firmly in Mbappe's court as of now with Deschamp's unlikely to strip him of the captaincy should he express his desire to keep hold of it.

Regardless of Mbappe's position, Konate is believed to have impressed Deschamps and his coaching team in recent months.

The 25-year-old has shown excellent leadership qualities which were again on show during November's internationals.

Konate captained France to an impressive 3-1 win against Italy at the San Siro on Sunday and has put himself in the frame for the role.

Meanwhile, former Chelsea and Leicester midfielder Kante remains a popular figure among the players but his quiet persona may go against him, should the armband go up for grabs.