Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappé is "very calm" as speculation about his future rages while coach Mauricio Pochettino does not "see why he wouldn't be with us this season" as he prepares for Friday's Ligue 1 Uber Eats encounter at Brest (kick-off 9pm CEST).
With less than 12 months left on his PSG contract, Mbappé has been feverishly linked by European media with a move away from the Parc des Princes. The FIFA World Cup winner, however, showed he was fully focussed on his current team with a stellar display in last Saturday's 4-2 win over Strasbourg that made it two wins from two for last season's top-flight runners-up.
Despite the public uncertainty about Mbappé's future, Pochettino remains confident the 22-year-old will continue making a significant contribution to his club's cause throughout the 2021/22 campaign.
"I think he's very good, he's working hard to have a good season," said Pochettino in Thursday's pre-match press conference. "As I've said in recent weeks, Kylian is our player and I don't see why he wouldn't be with us this season. This period is part of football, a lot of things are said, some things happen and others never do. The most important thing is that Kylian is very calm. He has a year left on his contract, he's a PSG player. We're happy with him and, from what I see, he's also happy with us."
WATCH: Kylian Mbappé and PSG take Strasbourg apart
While Mbappé will be in the squad travelling to Brittany, PSG fans may have to wait a little longer before they witness Lionel Messi working his magic in their team's shirt even if the 34-year-old Argentine icon has been training with the rest of the squad over the last week.
"We're very happy with what he has been doing," explained Pochettino. "Everything is very positive. He's adapted very quickly."
Another summer signing, Sergio Ramos, will not make his competitive debut until after the September international break with full-back Colin Dagba also set to return then. Juan Bernat, Sergio Rico and Layvin Kurzawa also miss out as PSG seek a third successive win to start their league challenge.
"I saw a lot of positive things, and some points where we can improve. So it's important to review our games because we still have to improve, but we are focused," explained Pochettino. "The most important thing is to try to build a united, strong team. It's a big challenge, we have to get everyone pulling in the same direction. I'm obviously happy with the squad, we have some incredible talent. We have to try to build something special that will make us win."
Brest will have new signing Jere Uronen and Algeria international Haris Belkebla in their squad as they seek to spring a surprise and end a 19-game winless streak in the top flight against the capital club.
"We want to put in a great performance collectively to cause them problems, even if we know they are ten times better than us," admitted the Breton club's coach Michel Der Zakarian, whose side have drawn with Lyon and Rennes to begin their new boss' tenure positively. "It's a football match, and it's up to us to put in the very best contents, to be good with the ball to cause them problems. Anything can happen."
"All matches are very difficult. We have respect for every opponent," added Pochettino. "We had some problems in winning the first two matches and the match against Brest will also be tough. They are a team that wants to play good football. All the teams are motivated when they face Paris Saint-Germain. We will have to be focused and do our job. We are doing it well at the moment, and we will have to do it on Friday. We have to win this game to continue our good start to the season."
Probable teams
Brest: Bizot; Pierre-Gabriel, Chardonnet (cap.), Brassier, Uronen; Faivre, Mbock, Belkebla; Honorat, Mounié, Cardona
PSG: Navas; Hakimi, Marquinhos (cap.), Kimpembe, Diallo; Danilo, Herrera, Wijnaldum; Draxler, Icardi, Mbappé
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