Harry Maguire has been singled out as England’s potential weak link ahead of their World Cup quarter-final clash with France.
The Three Lions set up their tie with the reigning world champions after they thumped Senegal 3-0 in the round of 16. After a shaky start, goals from Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka ensured they reached the last eight for the third major tournament on the spin.
But in France, Gareth Southagte’s side take on one of the pre-tournament favourites, looking to become the first side in 60 years to retain the trophy. Kylian Mbappe and co will provide England their sternest test, having comfortably beaten Poland in their first knockout match in Qatar.
Mbappe was the star of the show against Poland, scoring twice to bring his tally for the tournament to five in just four games. England know they will need to keep the Paris Saint-Germain superstar quiet if they are to have a chance of reaching the semi finals.
And the French press believe Maguire’s lack of pace could come back to haunt Southgate with the Manchester United defender pinpointed as a serious weakness in the side. Maguire has thus far confounded his critics and after a woeful period for his club side, has helped his national side to three clean sheets in their last four matches.
“The winner will not be the team that has the most possession, but the one that uses it with the most suddenness,” L’Equipe predicted. “Harry Maguire's slowness could prove detrimental to the England rear guard, which Gareth Southgate could strengthen by abandoning his 4-3-3 for a 3-4-3, as he does every time he faces the best selections.”
In contrast to their unflattering verdict on Maguire, L’Equipe have heaped praise on Jude Bellingham and believe he could be the difference between England teams of the past. The 19-year-old has been one of the stars of the World Cup and will again be a key cog against Les Bleus.
They add: “The Three Lions have often struggled against midfielders as skilled with the ball as Adrien Rabiot or Antoine Griezmann, but this time they may have their say thanks to Bellingham, who has been a dominant box-to-box player in the tournament.”
A pivotal battle at the Al Bayt Stadium will be between the electric Mbappe and Manchester City full-back Kyle Walker. He looks poised to be given the unenviable task of keeping the PSG star quiet and the French media outlet admit the winner of that duel will likely dictate the winner of the match.
“The face-off between Mbappe and Kyle Walker, who has just returned from a long groin injury that kept him away from the field for almost two months, will be key to unlocking the match,” they explained.
England legend Stuart Pearce has suggested Walker will need to put in the very best performance of his career, if he is to contend with Mbappe. “Kyle Walker ’s going to have to have the game of his life, there’s no doubting that. We’re going to have to stop the supply line to him," Pearce told talkSPORT.
"They’ve got a front four and real talent in that front four with Mbappe being the pick of the lot with his pace, his energy and his goal threat. You’ve got to stop the ball coming into him and then double up on him when he’s got the ball.”
