Former Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood insists "frustrating" Kylian Mbappe is only "very exciting to watch on his day" in a peculiar assessment of the World Cup winner.
Mbappe, 23, has been one of the most consistent footballers in Europe since joining Paris Saint-Germain - initially on loan - in the summer of 2017. He's scored 183 goals in just 231 games - boasting a record of 12 in 14 this season - yet Sherwood remains unconvinced.
The France international was ranked sixth in this year's Ballon d'Or vote - behind Mohamed Salah, Robert Lewandowski, Kevin De Bruyne, Sadio Mane and winner Karim Benzema.
Some critics believe Mbappe should rank higher in the list - but not Sherwood.
"I find him very exciting to watch on his day, but I find him quite frustrating," Sherwood told talkSPORT. "He’s like [Thierry] Henry isn’t he, just drifts out on the left hand side, a lot of boys these days want to play out there with their backside to the touchline and drift inside and threaten the goal.
"Listen he’s got incredible pace and skill and quick feet and ability to finish but he wouldn't be... He'd certainly be up there in the top five, but for me the jury’s still out.
"People will say you must be mad, but I only look intensely into him and he just frustrates me. Certainly if I was to manage him he’d frustrate me."
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Mbappe reportedly wants to leave PSG in January, something he denies. He was booed by supporters when he arrived at Monday evening's Ballon d'Or ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, which is likely to be a response to that speculation.
Fortunately for Mbappe, Sherwood is unlikely to be in charge of a top European club if and when the opportunity to leave the French capital arises. Possible destinations include Real Madrid - who've come close to signing him before - Liverpool and Manchester City.
"Mbappe is the best player in European football," said Real manager Carlo Ancelotti after Mbappe scored against his team in February. "Mbappe is unstoppable, we have tried to control him... He is a player who always invents something."
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has also revealed his admiration for Mbappe. "Of course we are interested in Kylian Mbappe, we are not blind," he once said. "We like him and if you don't like him then you have to question yourself... He is a great player."
Mbappe only signed a new three-year contract with PSG in May and dismissed those transfer rumours after PSG's win against Marseille on Sunday. He said: "I'm very happy. I never asked for my departure in January. I was just as shocked as everyone else. There are people who may think I’m involved in this, but I’m not involved, I was taking a nap.
"My entourage was at my little brother's game, all the people who take care of me weren’t there so we were flabbergasted when we heard about it. Afterwards, we had to deal with it, there was a game to play. Just to say that it is completely wrong, and I am very happy."
