Kylian Mbappe may be an asset to both Paris Saint-Germain and France, but he could have been one for Chelsea if his Mum had allowed him a second trial there.
The 19-year-old was invited to Chelsea for a trial six years ago, where he impressed, but the Blues requested that he came back for a second trial, which did not sit well with the young star’s decision maker.
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Just before he was catapulted to the big time, the French star was spotted by Chelsea scout Serge Daniel Boga performing for his small team on the outskirts of Paris.
And he was summoned to Chelsea for a trial in 2012.
Although he was skillful for a young player, the Blues requested he returned for a second trial where he could be assessed further.
Relaying Mbappe’s mother’s reponse, Boga told Goal: “Listen, my boy won’t be coming back. If they want him they have to take him now, or in five year’s time they will be coming back to buy him for €50m (£45m).”
His mother’s predictions were certainly accurate, but even she could not predict that her son would be brought by PSG for triple that.
Had Chelsea jumped at the chance to sign Mbappe, the World Cup’s Best Young Player could be running riot for the Blues alongside his compatriots N’Golo Kante and Olivier Giroud.
But they had concerns over his defensive capabilities, Boga said: “He was very skillful, but in England they want to see the player track back and be a hard worker.
“At the time, he wasn’t a hard worker, defensively he wasn’t there yet.”
Although Roberto Di Matteo had a good squad in 2012 when Mbappe had trials, the French star would have been a very good addition to the team.
Speaking over the club’s reluctance to sign him, Boga said:”When he got the ball, he was unbelievable, but without the ball he didn’t work a lot.
“Chelsea wanted to see him again to see how he could improve on this- I think that’s why they asked him back.
“He did skillful things and dribbled well, so maybe the things they wanted to see in the second trial was improved work on the defensive side.”
The scout is now a football agent, but admits that Mbappe was a special sort of player, he said: “I think until now, Mbappe is the best player I have ever scouted.”
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