France coach says Mbappé's dip in form is due to both psychological and physical reasons

PARIS — France coach Didier Deschamps said Thursday that there are both physical and psychological reasons for Kylian Mbappé's rough patch of form.

After France drew 0-0 with Israel in the Nations League, Deschamps was again asked about the reasons behind the Real Madrid striker's absence from his squad.

“It's a fact that he is in a difficult situation,” Deschamps told broadcaster TF1. “Obviously, he is going through a period which is not the happiest of his career.”

Mbappé was not included in Deschamps' list for the match against Israel and a game in Italy later this this week.

Mbappé was also absent from the previous France gathering because of a minor thigh injury. This time he is not injured.

“He wanted to come,” Deschamps said. “I think it's better for him (not to be selected) at the moment. Everybody can go through a difficult period. There is a physical element, and a psychological one.”

Mbappé’s performances have been below par in recent weeks after he joined Madrid from PSG this summer. He has one goal in his last seven club games and hasn’t added to his 48 goals for France since June.

Deschamps last week did not elaborate about his choice to do without Mbappé but said it was not related to recent reports in Swedish media that the former Paris Saint-Germain star was the subject of a rape investigation in Stockholm. Mbappé’s representatives have rejected the reports as “false and irresponsible.”