Will Mbappe Leave PSG For Liverpool Or Real Madrid? Pochettino Gives An Interesting Reply

Mauricio Pochettino, the new head coach of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), has insisted he believes Kylian Mbappe will stay with the Ligue 1 champions for “many years to come” amid the player’s links with top European clubs such as Real Madrid and Liverpool FC.

The 22-year-old has been heavily linked with a move away from PSG in recent times, but not many clubs would be able to afford him.

Mbappe, whose current deal with PSG is due to expire in 2022, has admitted he has been exploring various options while he also has a long term offer from his current team on the table.

"Who doesn't love Kylian, we say to each other? He makes himself loved, with his smile, his face and his energy. At the age of 19 he was a world champion, impressive things have happened to him, but he is special and different, with a lot of emotional intelligence. He has a lot of potential to develop but he is already [someone for the] present, not just the future," Pochettino said in an interview with Spanish publication Marca.

It was earlier reported that Real Madrid and Liverpool are set to battle out in the race to sign Mbappe at the end of the 2020-21 campaign.

Pochettino, who recently took over PSG’s charge, is enjoying his time coaching the likes of Neymar and Mbappe, while he also has opened up on rumors about Lionel Messi’s possible move from FC Barcelona to the French capital in the summer.

"It's a challenge and a good thing to work with this kind of talent, it makes you a better coach. You give this type of player a solution and he gives you five back. There are a lot of rumors, but I think he will be at PSG for many years to come, and that's the club's hope. We are counting on him for as long as we are here. It's true that he has to make a decision [on his future], but he seems happy and very committed to this project," the Argentinian manager added.

Since PSG were recently accused of disrespect by Barcelona’s presidential candidate Joan Laporta, Pochettino responded to questions regarding Messi’s future with utmost care.

“Whatever I say will be misunderstood, and I love what I have here,” he said. “Great footballers fit in any league and any team. I respect players who belong to other teams because they [the teams] can get angry and I understand why. We understand that in the world of football there are no saints; nobody can complain that each club does its best to improve its team. But this does not hide a hidden message on our part,” the former Spurs boss added.