Mbappe finally has answer to Newcastle worry as surprise Magpies backing emerges

As Antoine Griezmann informed Kylian Mbappe of his decision to sign the French attacker while managing Newcastle on Football Manager, his response swiftly went viral. “Newcastle? It’s not very warm there, eh?”

It turns out Mbappe may have been onto something when he joked about the weather in the north east of England. After departing the delights of 20-degree Paris on Tuesday, the world's best player landed at Newcastle airport only to be met by a cool 14 degrees, with sunny intervals and a considerable breeze.

His reception upon arrival at St James' Park may be slightly warmer with both home and away fans expected to be in and around the stadium trying to get a glimpse of *the* star man. Mbappe, Ligue 1's top scorer, remains the unadulterated headline act and standout star in a new-look, but weakened, PSG outfit.

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READ MORE: First pictures of Kylian Mbappe and co as they arrive in Newcastle

While all eyes will be on the 24-year-old in Newcastle, back home the attacker is also causing a bit of a stir. L'Equipe, for example, are just one national publication keeping a close eye on his early season form and ultimately coming to the conclusion he is underperforming.

"Efficient, messy, spectacular and frustrating: Kylian Mbappe's start to the season covers several realities," read one headline on Monday morning. This, despite eight goals in seven games for Les Parisiens this term.

Mbappe's recent ankle injury has raised doubts over his fitness, despite manager Luis Enrique playing down the knock that forced him out of the Marseille win after just 30 minutes. The striker subsequently played 90 minutes in the stalemate with Clermont Foot on Saturday.

There is also ongoing confusion over his future. Forever linked with Real Madrid, this summer just gone was again dominated by speculation over whether Los Blancos would finally get their man as Mbappe sat out of PSG's tour of Japan.

It's safe to say the club as a whole are struggling by their lofty standards. One win in their last three and just three out of seven in the league, the pressure may be on the visitors despite their European superiority at St James' Park this week.

Is this the time for Newcastle to take advantage? Eddie Howe will think so after a significant upturn in form since the last international break. Backed by a raucous home atmosphere, the manager has promised not to 'roll out the red carpet' for the French visitors.

It's clear either the Geordie faithful or neutral punters are backing Newcastle to cause an upset too. According to Ladbrokes, a staggering 17.1 per cent of all bets on who will win the Champions League have been placed on the Magpies. Only Arsenal have been backed by a higher amount.

Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: "Despite unquestionably being in the toughest group of the lot, almost one in five punters reckons Newcastle are capable of going all the way."

Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Despite a positive result at the San Siro, Wednesday's task should be, on paper, the toughest test Howe's side have faced since he took the gig back in 2021. But Newcastle are ready.

Kieran Trippier, in sparkling form of late, is the perfect man to deal with Mbappe's pace, power and precision down PSG's left. Elsewhere, you wouldn't bet against Alexander Isak or Bruno Guimaraes taking their chance on the biggest stage of all.

Mbappe will be the main attraction as Newcastle get to grips with their new-found place at Europe's top table - but don't expect Howe's men to let him have his own way on Wednesday evening.