Arsenal star Bukayo Saka has been revealed as one of three England players who will play a significant role in ensuring Kylian Mbappe's impact is limited when the Three Lions face France in the World Cup quarter-finals. France's Mbappe is currently the competition's top scorer, although Gareth Southgate has hatched a plan to stop the 23-year-old.
Mbappe has scored five goals for France in Qatar after an emphatic brace against Poland in the last-16 made him the outright top scorer at the World Cup. The Paris Saint-Germain star has terrorised every defence he has played against so far, with him finding the back of the net in every game that he has started for Didier Deschamps side.
France will likely be hoping for that fact to remain true as England are their next opponent with a semi-final spot up for grabs. England will likely be France's toughest test though with Southgate's side having not conceded since their opening group game while also scoring 12 goals at the tournament.
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Keeping a clean sheet for a fourth consecutive game is set to be a significant challenge though for England with Mbappe in fine form as he would likely face up against Kyle Walker. The Manchester City defender spoke on Mbappe ahead of the game insisting that although he will play against "one of the best in the world" he will not "roll out a red carpet" for the 23-year-old.
Walker, who has missed much of City's season with a groin injury, looks set to have some help in tackling the threat of Mbappe though, as Southgate has mustered a plan that involves him, Saka and one other England player.
According to The Independent, Southgate and his staff were still deciding on final touches to the England team on Friday. Saka, Walker and Jordan Henderson have all been outlined as being key members of the squad to stop Mbappe.
The belief in the England camp is that the Arsenal star can help balance his team on the right because he is so good tactically and with Walker behind him and Henderson shuttling over from the centre of the pitch, the Three Lions could have sufficient protection against Mbappe while they maintain their own structure and threat.
In Euro 2021, Southgate opted to deploy a back five against Germany and Italy and there have been calls to repeat that same plan with France likely to dominate the game. Although according to Matt Law, England are set to name an unchanged line up for their quarter-final meeting with the world champions.
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