Kylian Mbappe has rejected an apology from Olivier Giroud after the comments he made after France’s 3-0 victory over Bulgaria on Tuesday.
The current internal rift in the team threatens to hamper French hopes as they target Euro success in the coming weeks.
Giroud came off the bench to score two goals on Tuesday as Didier Deschamps continues to shuffle his team. The France manager has a number of options available to him, but two of his key attacking weapons appear to be at loggerheads.
After the Bulgaria victory the Chelsea striker said: “‘Sometimes you make the runs and ball is not arriving. Perhaps we could have found each other better, there it is.”
Mbappe was angered by his comments and even asked Deschamps if he could call a press conference to discuss his side of the story as he felt they were directed straight at him.
According to RMC Sport, the French manager rejected his request, but the issue now appears to have deepened.
It is believed that Giroud has clarified his comments and said that his words ‘ran away with him’ and that his comments were not specifically directed at any player.
READ MORE
- Atletico Madrid name their price for Man Utd to sign Kieran Trippier
- Premier League VAR make new change for offside calls next season
- Granit Xhaka takes swipe at Arsenal team-mates ahead of Roma transfer
But, that explanation hasn’t been well received by Mbappe, who appears to still be angry with the player’s comments.
Deschamps attempted to cool down the situation in the team, saying: “If you received the ball after each time you called for it, it is always the same.
“The attacker says: ‘I am making runs, but it’s on the midfield.’ The midfielders will say that it is on the attackers. Sometimes, the pass isn’t forthcoming, sometimes it is down to the movement. But this is not a stigmatisation of Kylian or whoever.”
The France head coach even called a meeting with both players in an effort to resolve the situation amid fears it could hamper their European Championsh ambitions.
Deschamps wants his team to move beyond the situation and let go of any tension, but the ill feeling still remains in their camp.
After the team meeting, Giroud is said to have forced a hug upon Mbappe after providing him with two assists in a small-sided match in training.
