'He is going to score' - Carlo Ancelotti addresses Kylian Mbappe position concerns as Real Madrid new boy's frustrating start to life in La Liga continues

Mbappe started in the centre-forward role as Madrid ran out 3-0 winners against Real Valladolid on Sunday. However, the Frenchman failed to find the net despite having four shots at goal - only one was on target - and he was taken off in the 87th minute. Shortly afterwards, his replacement, 18-year-old striker Endrick, scored his team's final goal of the game.

After scoring in his competitive debut as Madrid beat Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup, Mbappe has not yet opened his account in La Liga, having drawn a blank in their 1-1 draw against Mallorca in the first week of the campaign.

Ancelotti was asked at a press conference if the 25-year-old is being hindered by playing as a striker, but the Italian backed him to find the net, saying: "Mbappé is not penalised at all by playing as a No. 9. He is a spectacular forward, fast, he moves very well without the ball, he attacks space. Today he had three or four chances and he is going to score as he has always scored, no matter what position he plays in."

The World Cup winner will hope to get up and running in La Liga when Real come up against Las Palmas in La Liga on Thursday. Three days later, they will host Real Betis at the Santiago Bernabeu.