Kylian Mbappé and Jérôme Rothen, both former PSG figures with a deep attachment to SM Caen, share a strong bond with the club – though their visions for its future couldn’t be more different.
While Mbappé recently dazzled with a hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League, his brief, seemingly lackluster visit to Caen on Thursday has not gone unnoticed.
In his column, Rothen s’enflamme, the former player fired off a scathing critique of what he viewed as a half-hearted gesture by the Blues’ captain. “I believe he’s sincere, but don’t mess with me,” Rothen declared. “He brags about his closeness to the club, yet his actions contradict his words. You don’t need 23 matchdays in the league to come and lay out your vision for Stade Malherbe de Caen to the players, staff, or even the mayor. He had his chance but chose not to take it. When he had a day off, he could have visited Caen instead of heading to Sweden. It’s too late now!”
Rothen is deeply worried about the club’s prospects. He warned that Caen is on a dangerous trajectory toward relegation: “This club is on the verge of collapse and will soon be playing in the National league – good luck trying to bounce back.”
This clash of perspectives underscores the growing concern over SM Caen’s future. While Mbappé continues to shine on the international stage, Rothen’s passionate admonition highlights the critical challenges facing the Normandy club.