Pochettino casts doubt over Kylian Mbappe's availability vs Man City

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By Conor Laird

Published: May 3, 2021 9:29 pm

Last Updated: May 3, 2021 9:37 pm

Mauricio Pochettino this evening provided a concerning update on the fitness of Kylian Mbappe, ahead of PSG’s showdown with Manchester City.

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PSG battling on all fronts

Pochettino and co. are of course in the midst of an absolutely crucial stretch of the club’s campaign.

The capital giants remain in the thick of the battle for both Ligue 1, and the Champions League.

Their latest endeavours in the latter saw PSG throw away an early advantage to eventually succumb to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Man City last week.

Yes, Riyad Mahrez! 🎯

He asked to take it. He was allowed to take it. He scored it.

Through the PSG wall too! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/xVwuBOzD9x

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 28, 2021

The French champions, though, since bounced back with a much needed 3-point haul on the domestic front over the weekend.

A meeting with Lens at the Parc des Princes eventually saw the hosts come away with a 2-1 win, to keep the pressure on Lille amid a tense battle for the Ligue 1 title.

‘We will see…’

PSG’s latest victory, however, came with one of the club’s star performers having been unavailable for selection.

The player in question? Kylian Mbappe.

The 22-year-old picked up a calf injury last week, ruling him out of the action in Paris, and, in turn, immediately throwing his participation in the club’s return meeting with City on Tuesday up in the air.

Speaking over the weekend, Mauricio Pochettino revealed his optimism that Mbappe would indeed return to lead the line for PSG at the Etihad.

Mauricio Pochettino casts fresh doubt over Kylian Mbappe’s availability vs Man City: ‘I am worried’

BARCELONA, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 16: Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona reacts as Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain looks on after celebrating his side’s fourth goal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain at Camp Nou on February 16, 2021 in Barcelona, Spain. Sporting stadiums around Spain remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

As outlined above, however, the Argentine’s ensuing update, earlier this evening, proved of a considerably less positive nature.

Speaking in a pre-match press conference, Poch confirmed that Mbappe is yet to rejoin group training, with the tactician, as a result, ‘worried’ regarding his fitness levels for tomorrow night:

Mauricio Pochettino: “Mbappé will train individually this evening. We will see if he is available. Yes I am worried for him. We are going to see in the coming hours if he will be available.” (RMC)

— Get French Football News (@GFFN) May 3, 2021