Former Real Madrid manager Fabio Capello has pointed to Kylian Mbappe's arrival at the Spanish giants as the primary reason behind the struggles of star players Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham this season.

Mbappe, who joined Real Madrid as a free agent last summer after leaving Paris Saint-Germain, has been in impressive form, netting 39 goals across all competitions. However, according to Capello, his integration has disrupted the team's dynamics.

In an interview with COPE, Capello explained: "With Mbappe's arrival, Vinicius and Bellingham found themselves competing physically, technically, and positionally. They didn't help each other. It's been a difficult year because with Mbappe we had to change the system, and then came all the absences in defence."

The Italian tactician suggested that the lack of mutual support among the players has contributed to Real Madrid's underwhelming performance in LaLiga this season. Despite having a star-studded attack featuring Mbappe, Vinicius, and Bellingham, Los Blancos are set to miss out on the league title to rivals Barcelona, who currently top the table.

Capello's comments highlight the challenges of integrating multiple high-profile talents into a cohesive unit, even for a club with the resources and pedigree of Real Madrid. The tactical adjustments required to accommodate Mbappe appear to have affected the roles and performances of existing stars.

This situation raises questions about how manager Carlo Ancelotti will address these issues moving forward, particularly as Real Madrid aims to reclaim domestic dominance while maintaining their competitiveness in European competitions.