Zidane Plans to Move Mbappé Back to Left Wing for France

RMC Sport reports that France's new head coach has told his captain he wants him wide left, freeing the No.9 role for Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembélé.

Kylian Mbappé could be heading back to the left wing for the French national team. According to RMC Sport, new France head coach Zinédine Zidane intends to move the 27-year-old out of the central striker role he has occupied in recent years.

Mbappé was shifted to the No.9 position after Olivier Giroud retired from international football, a decision that generated significant debate in France. Former coach Didier Deschamps repeatedly defended the choice, pointing to Mbappé's experience playing centrally at Real Madrid.

Zidane is now looking to put his own mark on Les Bleus, and one of his first moves is a positional switch for his captain. Mbappé first rose to prominence on the left wing with AS Monaco and developed further in that role at Paris Saint-Germain.

RMC Sport adds that Zidane has already spoken with Mbappé to explain his plan. The change would open the central striker spot for Ousmane Dembélé, the current Ballon d'Or holder, who has thrived playing as a No.9 over the past two seasons.