According to a recent report by The Sun, Liverpool are eyeing a move for Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe if Sadio Mane leaves Anfield to join Real Madrid this summer. The same source has also mentioned that Los Blancos boss Zinedine Zidane is a big admirer of the Senegalese winger, who is not pressing to part ways with the Reds at the end of this campaign. However, should he change his mind, then Liverpool owners, Fenway Sports Group, want to acquire the services of Mbappe in the off-season (via The Sun).
Mbappe Vs Mane: Who Has The Statistical Edge?
It is understood that the Merseyside giants could expect to bag £150m for Mane and will have to add another £100m to tempt PSG into doing business for their prized asset this summer (via The Sun). Mbappe has enjoyed another incredible campaign at the French capital where he has made a name for himself by banging in numerous match-winning goals for Thomas Tuchel’s side this season. He has been involved in 47 goals (30 goals and 17 assists) in 33 appearances for PSG this term in all competitions which goes to show how productive he can be in the attacking third of the field.
Mbappe has averaged 4.4 shots, 2.0 key passes and 2.8 dribbles in every 90 minutes of Ligue 1 football this season (stats via whoscored). However, he had failed to maintain such high standards in Europe where he had averaged 2.9 shots, 1.1 key passes and 1.4 dribbles per game in the UEFA Champions League (stats via whoscored) before the football world came to a standstill as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
In contrast, Mane has registered 18 goals and 12 assists in 38 matches for the Reds this term on all fronts. Even though the Senegalese speedster has not been as prolific as Mbappe, yet it is also worth noting that he has been doing so in a far more competitive league. The ex-Southampton forward has averaged 2.3 shots, 1.6 key passes and 2.1 dribbles per game in the Premier League and the Champions League which highlights his remarkable run of consistency wearing a Liverpool shirt this season (stats via whoscored).
Strictly going by the numbers, Mbappe is having a better season than Mane, but the Senegalese winger helped his team win the European Cup last season and the FIFA Club World Cup this term. So it’s safe to say that Mane has found more joy in terms of tasting silverware at the club level in recent years. However, Mbappe lifted the 2018 FIFA World Cup with France at the age of 19, which is an incredible feat that will stand the test of time.
Will Mbappe Be A Suitable Replacement For Mane?
If Klopp ends up losing Mane to Real Madrid this summer, then it makes a lot of sense for him to smash the transfer record to recruit Mbappe during the summer transfer period. He is one of the quickest attackers in European football and can use his pace to cause all sorts of problems for the opposition defenders. He loves to dribble past defenders and beat them with speed and trickery by producing a few moments of magic in the final third. The 34-time France international can also be a lethal finisher inside the opposition penalty area and has the ceiling to become a generational talent.
Acquiring Mbappe’s services will not only add a lot of quality to Klopp’s frontline but also generate huge revenues in terms of sponsorship deals and television money. Plus, Liverpool and Mbappe will both have a mutual interest in Nike so everyone involved in the collaboration can make a lot of money if the Reds can find a way to convince PSG to sell their talented whizkid this summer. All in all, the French prospect will be a more than ideal replacement for Mane as long as he can maintain his high standards in the Premier League next season.
