Kyle Walker has been backed to stop France superstar Kylian Mbappe and continue England’s march to World Cup glory.
England right-back Walker will be entrusted with the task of trying to contain Mbappe when Gareth Southgate’s side meet France in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
Mbappe destroyed Poland in France’s 3-1 win to set up the showdown with England, scoring two stunners to take his goal tally to five in Qatar and put him out in front in the race for the Golden Boot.
Poland and Aston Villa right-back Matty Cash tried but failed to thwart Mbappe, even after studying videos of the Paris St Germain forward in a bid to give him the best possible chance.
But Cash said that if any defender has the ability to deal with Mbappe and suppress his threat, it is Manchester City defender Walker - because of his speed and experience. “ Kyle Walker's got way more experience than me, so I don’t need to tell him anything,” said Cash.
“He knows Mbappe is amazing, but I think Kyle Walker is England’s best right-back. So if anyone’s going to stop Mbappe, I think he’s the man to stop him. Kyle Walker is brilliant and he’s rapid as well, but Mbappe is on a different level - by far.
“I play in the Premier League week-in, week-out and I play against top-class wingers, but he’s easily going to be the best player in the world. His speed, movement and look at his finishing. He’s got everything. He put two in the top corner - one in the left and one in the right.”
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Mbappe’s double against Poland took his World Cup goal tally to nine in 11 appearances, level with Lionel Messi, who has played 23 games and one ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 20 appearances over five tournaments.
Even though Cash spent hours analysing videos of Mbappe’s performances, the 25-year-old was ultimately powerless to stop a player he hailed as the best he has ever faced.
“He’s my toughest opponent by far,” said Cash. “I spent the afternoon watching his clips and I knew it was going to be a tough test. I was watching the videos while lying in bed - in real life he’s burning my legs, that’s the difference!
“It's a massive difference, when he stands you up and moves - he does it really well. When he gets the ball, stops and moves, he’s the quickest thing I’ve ever seen.
Mbappe’s France team-mate, right-back Jules Kounde, said facing him every day in training keeps him on his toes. “I have him in training and I can say it’s really difficult,” said Kounde. “It’s really difficult, but it makes me work hard and improve. It improves my game.”
Asked if it is scary facing Mbappe in training, Kounde said: “Yeah, definitely! He’s an amazing player. He scored two beautiful goals in important moments.”
“I didn’t know whether to drop off or go tight, and when I went tight he just spun in behind. I did everything I could. When it was one against one, I thought I did okay against him, he didn't really run me once.
“There were times where he got space on the counter-attack, which is where he scored the second goal, and that’s where he hurts teams. He drops the shoulder, goes short and then long. You look over your shoulder and he’s there.”
Although Cash was unable to stop Mbappe from scoring, he did manage to claim his shirt at the end of the game as a lasting memento from his first World Cup. I said to him at the end ‘can I have your shirt?’ and he gave me it, so I’m delighted with that,” said Cash. “I’m going to frame it.”
