French players take part in a training session at Al Sadd SC yesterday. AFP
As England gear up to take on reigning champions France, in-form Kylian Mbappe is grabbing the spotlight as a main threat for the Three Lions ahead of tomorrow’s quarter-final at Al Bayt Stadium.
The French forward is a leading goal scorer at this World Cup scoring five goals from four matches and his team-mate Youssouf Fofana has backed the 23-year-old to make an impact against Gareth Southgate’s men.
England right back Kyle Walker on Wednesday said the team has a plan to stop Mbappe but Fofana doubted if they can contain the Paris Saint-Germain forward.
“If he can stop Kylian, good for him. But there are 19 other teams in the French league that are waiting for the answer of how to stop Kylian. The truth is on the pitch,” the France midfielder told reporters yesterday.
He added Mbappe is focused on the match, away from all the discussions that are underway.
“He’s a person who doesn’t look at the press, not what you say about him. Sorry for you,” said the Monaco midfielder.
“He is focusing on his match. In preparing for the game, he will focus on what the team has to do more than the player he is going to play against. I feel he is very calm and very determined.”
Speaking on the challenge England pose to France, Fofana hailed the Three Lions as a “great” side, saying the game will be tough for his side.
“They’re kind of our neighbours and we’re quite close in terms of culture, etc. They are a great team, with incredible individuals. We’ve seen it since the Euros, they’re constantly progressing. It will be a great match,” he said.
Meanwhile, France defender Dayot Upamecano identified Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka as a main danger for Les Bleus.
“He likes to cut inside. We’ll have to make as few errors as possible. We’ll be ready,” he said.
But the Bayern Munich centre-back played down the threat of Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham in the quarter-final.
“I wouldn’t say Jude Bellingham is a threat but they have a very strong team,” he said.
“I know Bellingham: Bayern vs Dortmund, it’s war. He has got real talent and he is a very good player. He is gaining experience as he is playing in all the matches so I think it will be a really good fight in midfield.
“We will use our experienced players, (Adrien) Rabiot and (Antoine) Griezmann, and count on them.”
Upamecano added he had a discussion with former French defender Marcel Desailly, who was part of 1998 world champion team.
“He’s given me some advice and I should continue doing what I’m doing. It’s a real pleasure to be able to talk to someone like that. He was a winner. He was a warrior, a real example for the French.”
