Thibaut Courtois has urged Real Madrid team-mate Kylian Mbappe to focus on the basics to overcome an awkward adjustment process with the Spanish giants.
The tall goalkeeper suffered his own teething problems after leaving Chelsea to join Madrid in 2018. The former Atletico Madrid player had to abandon his relationship with the club’s city rivals as he battled for position with living legend Keylor Navas.
Mbappé has scored in back-to-back games, including a hard hit at the base of the post Sunday against Getafebut he is still looking for his best form. Carlo Ancelotti has it defended repeatedly the summer arrival of Paris Saint-Germain and Courtois also gave his support.
“It’s similar to what happened to me,” said the Belgian goalkeeper MARC. “The demands of the Bernabéu and Real Madrid are not easy. You know where you are going and what awaits you, but it is not always so.”
CourtoisThe advice was simple: less is more. “The harder you try, the less you achieve,” noted the 32-year-old. “You have to be calm, do the easy things well and then focus on the hard things. Once it works, the goals will surely come.”
Beyond his effectiveness, Mbappe’s attitude has also been questioned. The former Barcelona forward Thierry Henry has stated that the English midfielder Jude Bellingham “he’s doing Mbappe’s job” during a scathing review of his compatriot in November.
However, Courtois has insisted: “What’s happening to him is not due to a lack of professionalism or desire. It’s the same thing that happened to me at the beginning. It’s not about wanting less or not trying, there are simply moments in which things happen.” You need a landmark game that marks the turning point, and I’m sure it will happen.”
Perhaps this historic performance will come on Wednesday when Real Madrid trip to the home of Basque giants Athletic Club. Courtois certainly set the bar high. “I hope he scores three goals against Athletic,” he smiled.
