Kylian Mbappe was absent from France’s latest training session, days before the World Cup quarter-final clash with England.
The Paris Saint-Germain superstar has been in stunning form during the early stages of the tournament and his brace against Poland in the last-16 brought his tally to five goals in four games. Stopping Mbappe will be priority number one for the Three Lions as they look to make the semi finals for the third straight major tournament.
But fears over his fitness were sparked on Tuesday when the 23-year-old didn’t appear on the pitch for the start of France’s open training session. Didier Deschamps’ side were undergoing a light session in front of the assembled press, before more intense preparations begin for this Saturday’s meeting.
Reports from RMC Sport claim that Mbappe did not join the rest of Les Bleus squad on the recommendation of their team doctor. It is stated Deschamps had a long discussion with the medical expert prior to the session getting underway, with Mbappe instead working alone in the recovery room.
Subsequent reports have now suggested that the plan was always for Mbappe to have a recovery session away from the main group as he gears up towards the weekend.
Mbappe’s strike partner Olivier Giroud, who became the country’s leading goalscorer in history, has heaped praise on his younger colleague. There had been reports of a rift between the two strikers in previous tournaments, but have now struck up a close relationship in Qatar.
“It's natural, spontaneous. Top-level sport creates magical moments,” Giroud said. “My relationship with him is very good and, for me, it always has been. It is this enthusiasm that we want to convey in this team.”
England look set to hand the daunting task of stopping Mbappe to Manchester City defender Kyle Walker. The full-back returned to the XI for their last two games and his pace means he is a near-certain starter for the last-eight clash with the world champions.
And Walker has been given the backing to stop the flying forward, by the man he last came up against - Matty Cash. The Aston Villa defender started for Poland during the round-of-16 tie and performed impressively, until Mbappe took over the game in the latter stages.
"I spent the afternoon watching his clips and I knew it was going to be a tough test, but when he gets the ball, stops and moves, he’s the quickest thing I’ve ever seen,” Cash explained.
"When he stands you up and moves he does it really well. He drops the shoulder, goes short then long. I got into a couple of races with him and I did all right. You look over your shoulder and he’s there."
He added: “Kyle Walker's got way more experience than me, so I don’t need to tell him anything. 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."
