Kylian Mbappé puts PSG in a pickle

With no actual football to report on but plenty of sports pages to fill, the commendable endurance of one high-profile party-animal has served as useful fodder for sports editors in recent days. But even a man with such heroic levels of stamina has to get his downtime at some point, so chapeau to Kylian Mbappé for helping to fill the resulting void. The Paris Saint-Germain striker has enjoyed a fruitful if somewhat fractious relationship with the French champions in recent years and has never been slow in voicing his displeasure if he feels his employers are not treating him with due deference.

Around two months ago, the 24-year-old sent his rattle sailing out of the pram in a parabolic arc, upon deciding he had been gulled into starring in a video sent by PSG to their fans encouraging them to renew their season tickets. “At no time was I informed of the content of the interview with my interlocutor,” he moaned, having watched the clip in which he extolled the virtues of the club and its fans. “It looked like a basic interview at a club marketing day. I disagree with this posted video. That’s why I fight for individual image rights. PSG is a big club and a big family, but it is certainly not Kylian Saint-Germain. Cordially.” On Monday, Mbappé entered into more correspondence, informing his employer, Nasser al-Khelaifi, in writing that he would not be taking up the offer of an extension to his contract, which is due to expire in a little over 12 months’ time. His decision leaves PSG in something of a pickle over what to do with one of their more high-maintenance players; sell him this summer or keep him on board before being forced to release him for free.

His missive, the contents of which were reportedly leaked to a