Luis Enrique eyes Mbappe's sell-by date

Any team in the world would consider it almost an act of terrorism not to count on the services of Kylian Mbappe for all their matches, but Luis Enrique's latest decisions show that the Asturian coach is already thinking beyond what has been the French striker's project, and flagship, for the club. His contract will expire at the end of June and he will leave Paris.
PSG are already planning a future without him. He was substituted in the last two matches of the Parisian team. What is even more remarkable: he was substituted in matches in which PSG did not win (1-1 vs. Rennes and 0-0 vs. Monaco). With Ligue 1 on track, Luis Enrique began to prioritise the planning for the next season. The Champions League is just around the corner, with the tie against Real Sociedad well-defined, but not closed. A priori, with Kylian as undisputed starter...
At the press conference ahead of the second game against the San Sebastian side, the media were quick to point out: is it viable that Mbappe could also be substituted? The Asturian, as faithful to his style as ever, replied: "Maybe yes, maybe not... who knows? It's a tricky result. We're in an exceptional moment and I can play with any of the 23 called-up players".
No one in Paris can imagine a second leg against Real Sociedad without Mbappe. At least while the tie is still alive. But these latest moves by Luis Enrique, which began with a first substitution against Monaco, leave the door open.

This is something that has never happened before at PSG. Barring injury, Mbappe had never before had two consecutive games in which he had been substituted so early (65th minute vs. Rennes and at half-time against Monaco) in matches in which PSG were not yet ahead on the scoreboard. In fact, he failed to win either of them.
Luis Enrique has already said, quite naturally, that he must adapt to a team without Mbappe, aware that he will not continue from June. He knows that the Frenchman's impact on PSG's games has an expiry date, but it never ceases to surprise to see the Frenchman in the stands, uninjured, while his team plays. It happened in the match against Monaco, when the Frenchman, substituted at half-time, changed his clothes and ended up watching the match in the stands with his mother.
"We have to get used to that," stressed Luis Enrique. It is understood that it will be in Ligue 1 matches, a championship which, despite the last two draws, they are on track. They are nine points clear of Stade Brestois, who are second. Luis Enrique has some room for experimentation without Kylian in the domestic competition. It would seem a bold idea for the Asturian to consider playing in the Champions League quarter-finals in a scenario without Mbappe, at his own free will. It's already unheard of in Ligue 1.
In fact, Mbappe has rarely been substituted in matches in which PSG were not ahead on the scoreboard. It happened for the first time in October 2017, with Unai Emery at the helm, in PSG's 2-2 draw with Olympique de Marseille. At 1-1, Marseille made it 2-1 thanks to Thauvin and Emery made the decision to substitute Kylian (80'). On the stroke of full-time, Cavani equalised from the penalty spot. It happened again in March 2018 in the last-16 tie against Real Madrid. In the 85th minute, with Zidane's side already 1-2 up, Emery replaced Mbappe with Lass Diarra.
The earliest decision in this regard, without injuries and with PSG struggling on a scoreboard, came in November 2020 against Monaco. Tuchel's PSG led 0-2 in the capital, but Volland equalised with a brace. In the 69th minute, three minutes after the equaliser, Tuchel decided to substitute Mbappe. PSG lost that match (3-2). It was the last precedent of a Mbappe substitution without his team ahead on the scoreboard. Recently, Luis Enrique has done it twice... and beat the record number of minutes without the Frenchman.