Marcel Desailly Urges Real Madrid to Sell Vinicius Jr Amid Struggles with Mbappe Partnership

Marcel Desailly, the former French international and World Cup winner, has openly suggested that Real Madrid should have sold Vinicius Junior during the summer transfer window. The reason behind this bold claim lies in the ongoing tactical issues faced by the team trying to pair Vinicius with fellow forward Kylian Mbappe.

Mourinho's Era Faces Challenges with Vinicius

The arrival of Jose Mourinho as manager marked a new chapter for Real Madrid. After some drawn-out contract talks and a complicated transfer saga involving Arsenal, Vinicius finally signed a long-term deal at the Bernabeu. Yet, his performance has taken a noticeable dip since then. The winger has struggled to regain his top form, and much of the difficulty comes from his lack of chemistry on the pitch with Mbappe.

This disjointed partnership has attracted criticism, putting pressure on both players and the club’s strategy.

Desailly's Perspective on the Forward Duo

"I think Real Madrid should have let Vinicius leave. They need to look for other players," Desailly told beIN Sports (via RM4Arab). "Once again, we are talking about the partnership between Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius. This partnership has not proven successful."

"So, in my personal opinion as an analyst, I think it would be better for him to leave, and let’s see whether he would be able to erase all the negative thoughts and opinions directed towards him."

Recent Frustrations on Display Against Roma

Vinicius’ tough run was evident during the recent Champions League match versus Roma at the Stadio Olimpico. With Madrid trailing 3-1, Mourinho substituted him just before the hour mark after Vinicius lost possession leading to Roma’s second goal. His replacements, Endrick and Arda Guler, shifted momentum, helping Madrid mount an impressive comeback.

Vinicius was clearly displeased with the early substitution and later admitted that feeling angry after being taken off is natural because he always wants to contribute on the field.

The situation worsened with a four-match suspension in La Liga following a red card against Villarreal. Vinicius expressed surprise over the delayed notification of his ban, saying he only learned about it upon arriving at the stadium.

Looking Ahead Without Vinicius

As Vinicius serves his suspension, Mourinho will face the challenge of navigating the next four league fixtures without his key winger. This stretch includes the season’s first El Clasico. Endrick and Guler, fresh from their decisive impact in Italy, are expected to fill the gap.

The forced break might offer Vinicius a chance to reset and recover away from intense scrutiny. Meanwhile, Real Madrid will have the opportunity to explore different attacking options without him on the pitch.

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