Ibrahima Konate has revealed he has fielded questions from his Liverpool team-mates regarding Kylian Mbappe's character.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward was yesterday confirmed as the new captain of the French national team following Hugo Lloris' decision to step aside from international football on the back of the World Cup, leading to some questioning Didier Deschamps' delegation of this responsibility.
Mbappe has at times been accused of not being a team player and was involved in a controversial contract saga with his current employers, which is believed to have resulted in the 24-year-old having influence on off-field decisions such as transfers and manager sackings.
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On the back of the prolific forward being awarded the honour of captaining his country, Konate has rubbished claims the former Monaco man is undeserving of the role.
“He is a young boy who likes to laugh and have fun, nothing more. He is a human being like everyone else and a very good person. Some may think he is arrogant. It's a question I've been asked a lot in my club or elsewhere. But I answer them: 'Are you crazy or what? He's too nice.' Of course, he will be a good captain," the Reds defender told Eurosport.
"Even if I had an opinion on the matter, it wouldn't change anything. It's the coach who decides but I'm very happy. In all honesty, Kylian Mbappé deserves it , we are unanimous on that. He deserves it through what he did in the World Cup, with PSG. Even his matches before the World Cup. He is a very good leader on and off the pitch. I wish him all the best and he will be a very good captain."
Mbappe has previously been linked with a move to Liverpool, last year revealing he held discussions with the Reds prior to putting pen to paper on a new contract in Paris ahead of the 2022/23 season. “We talked a little bit, but not too much. We talked a little bit," he told the Telegraph.
Last summer is not the first time he has been a player in high demand, however, with clubs also circling for his signature in 2017 after emerging as a breakout star at AS Monaco. It was PSG who won the race in the end, initially signing the forward on loan becoming make this permanent, fending off outside interest from a number of other clubs. Jurgen Klopp's side were again in the running on this occasion, which led to a meeting between Mbappe and Liverpool in Monaco as discussions were held.
“I talked to Liverpool because it’s the favourite club of my mum, my mum loves Liverpool. I don’t know why, you will have to ask her! It’s a good club and we met them five years ago. When I was in Monaco I met them. It’s a big club," revealed the four-time Ligue 1 winner.
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