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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Casey Evans

Brad Friedel says it will take two Manchester City stars to 'deal with' France's Kylian Mbappe threat in World Cup clash

England celebrated a 3-0 win against Senegal on Sunday night but it lined up a much more difficult test in the quarter-finals.

Gareth Southgate's side will face France in the last eight and while the Three Lions have been playing well so far, many fans expect this will be as far as they go. This is all thanks to one man, Kylian Mbappe.

Mbappe has been in great form so far, scoring five goals and registering two assists in four games and is already well on his way to breaking records with his national team. Against Poland he was an unstoppable force down the left-hand side against Aston Villa and Poland defender Matty Cash.

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However former Tottenham and USA goalkeeper Brad Friedel believes that England still have a chance and also have a player in their squad who can keep Mbappe quiet. And that is Manchester City defender Kyle Walker.

Walker was injured at the start of the tournament, but came back into the squad for the Wales and Senegal games and will likely keep his place against France. Friedel told Bookmakers.com how he believes that the defender has the pace and ability to keep the Frenchman quiet - and will have the help of Manchester City teammate John Stones to count on.

He said: "I'm also going to predict England to qualify from the quarter-finals, and again, an against the odds choice. I think France is going to be very good in this game. England will focus on shutting down Mbappe, but they'll know Olivier Giroud very well. And I think they'll focus on Griezmann and Mbappe and I think they have the physicality.

"I think Kyle Walker on that side can run with Mbappé, and that's where I'm thinking he has the physical capabilities of shutting them down. Kyle's the fastest player I've ever played with in my life. And on the attacking front, that England can impose on France, because France has conceded quite a few chances. I mean, they conceded quite a few in the first half against Poland. And I see England going through again, but really close, really tight.

"I think Mbappe will predominantly drift over onto Walker's side. And I think Walker and the Stones will be able to deal with him. He's going to have his chances. Don't get me wrong on it. But he won't have them every time he touches the ball. If he gets an open space, Kyle Walker will be able to catch up to him. Which is different than what Kylian Mbappe will come up against a lot of times in any match that he plays, because he's so quick. I think it's going to be a fascinating game."

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