This article was first published on 12 February
MONACO ARE THE best team in France right now and in Kylian Mbappé they have one of the most talented young players in Europe.
On Saturday, the club put five past a hapless Metz and 18-year-old Mbappé got three of them – his first ever Ligue 1 hat-trick.
It wasn’t his first hat-trick of the season, though. Back in December, he struck three times against Rennes in the Coupe de la Ligue.
The result ensured Monaco retained a three-point lead over PSG at the top of the table.
Mbappé has now hit seven goals in the top-flight this term and added a further five assists as his strike partnership with Radamel Falcao has worked perfectly.
The Colombian, who grabbed a brace last night, is now on 16 goals for the Ligue 1 season – behind only Edison Cavani and Alex Lacazette in the top-scorer standings.
But while the veteran is enjoying a golden autumn in his career, all eyes are on his younger team-mate.
Mbappé has been well-regarded for quite some time.
He was incredibly influential in Monaco winning the Youth Cup last May while, at the Under-19 European Championship, he scored five times as France claimed the title. He made his debut for Monaco’s senior team in December 2015 when he was just 16.
While coach Leo Jardim has wanted to use him sparingly throughout the season, Mbappe has now managed back-to-back 90 minutes, scoring four goals in those two games. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to leave him out of the starting XI.
Mbappe was born in 1998 – the same year France lifted the World Cup on home soil – and inevitable comparisons have been made between him and a key member of that side (and former Monaco prodigy), Thierry Henry.
Last week, the former Arsenal striker gave his opinion on the supremely-gifted youngster to RMC Sport. ”When I first saw him play against Tottenham in the Europa League, as soon as I saw him, I knew he was a player. I said: ‘who is he? At 16 and a half [years old], he was asking for the ball, he could dribble, he was having shots, he was winning the ball back and he loved the ball. The desire was there. Mbappé has something special, let’s be honest. If he keeps his head on his shoulders, it will come on its own.”
Arsenal tried to sign Mbappé last summer but the player wished to stay put. The Gunners will return at the end of the season with another offer, certainly, but there will be plenty of competition.
Third choice 7 MOM – just saying…
@Fuinneóig Ó’Fuigeann: Very obvious after Six Nation’s he’s not 3rd choice.
@Tomás O’Loughlin: Shame a 7 from another province didn’t put his hand up…
@Fuinneóig Ó’Fuigeann: Tommy O’Donnell. Injured. Like Sean O’Brien. Next point?
@Tomás O’Loughlin: who?
@Fuinneóig Ó’Fuigeann: What a troll. No one had heard even mentioned Leavy 6 months ago. Just because a fantastic player is injured you forget him? Eejit.
Outstanding Easter weekend what a way to end Lent with a Feast of Irish Winners,,,,,,sadly my liver is fecked
james lowe must have worked on his defence, it was immense today
You have to love his enthusiasm – his delight when he scored!
That picture at the top is gold!
@Sam Harms: two great players disappointed at losing a game? What’s your point
@Victor Sonovich: because no one likes Owen Farrell
@Bob Joe: i dont get why. He gets in fights but hes a physical player. Much more likeable then Lawes,Hartley,Marler,Care,Brown
@Bob Joe. I dunno, seems alright to me.
Farrell is very popular amongst his colleagues and most people who’ve met him have nothing but good things to say about him.
leinster where good for their money on the day and held back a big saracens pack which i thought where not so good in defence .but we must be carefull in our defence which nearly went off the rails if only they where more aggresive against scarlets in week or so we can win as they have a stronger team than off form scarlets and will be dirty as usual look at last year one sent of and target sexton many times and other dirt they got away with by the ref in that game we must show them we wont be bullied and we can win with speed and on long ball to keep them in their half .it will be hare to call but as i said if they attack them in power we can win as scarlets will play dirty all day long we cant let them do it as they could be dangerous if we let them away with it .ill go leinster 29 .scarlet 19