‘Gone backwards’: Pundit really worried about ‘devastating’ player Liverpool reportedly want on free transfer

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Tony Cascarino has said on talkSPORT that reported Liverpool target Kylian Mbappe has regressed.

The former Chelsea and Marseille striker has said that he is worried that Mbappe could end up like former Brazil and Barcelona star Ronaldinho.

Paris Saint-Germain striker Mbappe is one of the best young players in the world and is a long-term Liverpool target.

Liverpool interest

Journalist Ian McGarry reported on the Transfer Window Podcast last month that Liverpool plan to sign the France international forward on a free transfer in the summer of 2022.

The 22-year-old is interested in a move to Liverpool, who are willing to allow the striker to leave whenever he wants to in the future, according to the journalist.

We covered the full report here on HITC Sport.

Tony Cascarino’s verdict

Cascarino said on talkSPORT: “I hope I’m wrong, but I hope Kylian Mbappe doesn’t turn into a Ronaldinho. The type of player who has so much, but then suddenly his career starts to go slightly downwards.

“Because Ronaldinho was one of the world’s greatest when he was at his very best, but it’s easy as a young man when you get everything put in front of you that you slightly take your eye off the ball and you don’t become the same player.

“Kylian Mbappe is still a very young player, he’s 22, but he’s got to get back to somewhere close to the player we know and love. He’s gone backwards.

“If I look back at the player he was in 2018, when he won the World Cup and he was just electric, devastating, and you really felt he was one of the best players in the world.

“But I look at Mbappe now… I was disappointed with him at the Euros and he hasn’t scored in six games for France. There are moments, you see glimpses, but he’s not having anywhere near the impact he used to have.”

Should Liverpool be worried?

Mbappe is only 22, and it is understandable that a young player, even one as talented as the PSG forward, can go through bad spells.

There is really nothing to be worried about for Liverpool if they are keen on signing the striker next summer.

Playing alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar at PSG this season will only make the Frenchman better.

Mbappe will also be determined to show that he can match the likes of Messi and Neymar.

The striker still remains very prolific.

Mbappe scored 27 goals in Ligue 1 and eight goals in the Champions League last season, and has already found the back of the net three times in four league games this campaign.