Ethan Mbappé: Why PSG’s young midfielder is ready to make a name for himself – scout report

There have been quite a few famous footballing siblings over the years. Immediately springing to mind are the likes of Bobby and Jack Charlton, both of whom were part of the 1966 World Cup-winning England team. 

Another famous pair of brothers who have made significant contributions to football are the Yaya and Kolo Touré from Ivory Coast. Kolo gained prominence during his time at Arsenal, where he played a crucial role in the Invincibles season of 2003-2004 when they went unbeaten in the Premier League.

Meanwhile, Yaya made a name for himself as a powerful and dynamic midfielder. He played a pivotal role in Barcelonas success under Pep Guardiola, helping the team secure numerous titles, including the UEFA Champions League. He later joined Manchester City, becoming a key figure in the clubs transformation into a footballing powerhouse.

Living up to an older siblings reputation in football can be challenging and daunting. The pressure to match or exceed the accomplishments of a successful brother creates a unique set of expectations and challenges for younger players.

There is undoubtedly scrutiny from fans, media, and even within the footballing community. The achievements of an older sibling may cast a long shadow, and any shortcomings or struggles of the younger player are often magnified in comparison. 

In this tactical analysis and scout report, we will analyse Ethan Mbappés abilities. Of course, the name leads us to think of older brother Kylian Mbappé, who has achieved incredible success, including winning the World Cup with Les Bleus and multiple domestic titles with Monaco and PSG.

Mbappé the younger is currently in the youth system at the Parisien giants and is putting in some good performances by all accounts. The 17-year-old primarily plays as a central midfielder and is on the fringes of the first team. In this analysis piece, we will identify what Ethan Mbappé brings to PSG u19s tactics and analyse whether we think he can step up into the senior squad.

The central driving force

First and foremost, a central midfielder often serves as the link between the defensive and attacking units of the team. Good ball progression involves having the skill to navigate through opposition players, either through dribbling or precise passing. By successfully advancing into the attacking third, Ethan Mbappé can create opportunities for the team to initiate attacking plays.

Mbappé is naturally a progressive player who always looks to be positive when in possession. As we can see here, he is comfortable dropping back into the defensive third to receive a pass from the defenders. The young midfielder is comfortable controlling the ball under pressure as he has an excellent first touch, which often affords him an extra second to make a good decision despite the opponent closing him down.