Thierry Henry Discusses Kylian Mbappe, Offers Advice to Striker

Arsenal and France legend Thierry Henry has heaped praise on 18-year-old Monaco striker Kylian Mbappe and advised him to "become a killer" on the pitch.

The French teenager has burst on to the scene in spectacular fashion in 2016-17 in Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League, while he earned his first senior international cap for Les Bleus against Luxembourg on Saturday.

Many have compared Mbappe with Henry, 39, and he has been linked with a whole range of major European clubs, including Manchester United and Real Madrid, per Cadena COPE (via James Benson in the Daily Star).

Henry praised Mbappe for his intelligence and said he believes the youngster has a bright future ahead of him, per Canal+ (via Sky Sports' Charlotte Marsh):

"

I don't like comparing players. Mbappe has to become Mbappe. And that's all. But my word, he is good. Ooh la la. I met him, and he gave me the impression that he has a good head on his shoulders. l really like watching him play. He thinks.

There's a thing that annoys me sometimes. We talk about players, 'He's quick, he's strong, he can jump high'. We never talk about players' brains and that annoys me. 

When I watch him dribble, he's thinking. He thinks when he plays and that for me is the most important thing in a player. He thinks. He uses his brain.

Yes, he's quick, but he's thinking and that is the sign of a kid who can go a long way in the game.

"

The signs are certainly good for Mbappe at the moment. He has played a key role in 2016-17 as Monaco's outstanding current squad have led the way in Ligue 1 and reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

He has been used sensibly and sparingly by manager Leonardo Jardim, who has started Mbappe only 11 times in the French top flight so far this term. 

But the contribution he has made when he has been given minutes on the pitch has been staggering, per football analyst David O'Brien:

When asked what advice Henry could offer Mbappe, the former Barcelona forward said there was little he could be taught in terms of skills, but he offered some tips for his advancement, per Canal+ (via Marsh): "It's more, develop your brain and become a killer. Develop your brain, your intelligence and your movement. What can you see? When you watch a match, don't just watch the ball, watch the movement off the ball."

Given how impressive Mbappe has been both domestically and in Europe this season, it is little surprise there has been so much hype surrounding him.

Some have even gone as far to compare him with Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Real's Cristiano Ronaldo, per Goal's Robin Bairner:

Clearly Henry is similarly impressed with the young Mbappe and believes he has what it takes to become a genuine superstar.