France defender Dayot Upamecano has told England’s players to get an early night to have any chance of stopping Kylian Mbappe.
Mbappe, France’s star player, has already lit up the World Cup with five goals to lead the race for the Golden Boot and is the biggest threat to England’s chances of progressing.
Upamecano advised England’s defenders to get a good night's sleep tonight, to make sure they are sharp tomorrow and give themselves the best possible chance of containing Mbappe. Bayern Munich defender Upemacano was asked about facing Mbappe and said: "Kylian is a completely different forwards to anyone else. He’s a world-class player and it’s difficult to defend against him. You have to go to bed early."
Upamecano revealed France skipper Hugo Lloris will give his defenders the inside track on how to handle his Tottenham team-mate and England captain Harry Kane. "I’m sure we’ll talk about it," said Upemacampo. "They are team-mates from Tottenham.
“I know Kane, the way he plays. He’s a forward who comes to find the ball and can run really fast, so we have to be mindful of that and ready."
Meanwhile, England right-back Kyle Walker is anticipated to be tasked with stopping the aforementioned Mbappe and their duel is seen as one of the key battles that will have a huge bearing on the outcome of the World Cup quarter-final.
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With his pace, experience and reading of the game, Walker is viewed as one of the few defenders in the world capable of nullifying the threat posed by Mbappe.
But Mbappe’s team-mate, midfielder Youssuf Fofana, said Walker will have his work cut out - given none of the teams in the French league have been able to stop the prolific striker.
And another of Mbappe’s team-mate, midfielder Youssuf Fofana, said Walker will have his work cut out - given none of the teams in the French league have been able to stop the prolific striker.
“If he can stop Kylian, then good for him,” said Fofana. “But there are 19 other teams in the French League who are still waiting to find that answer.
“The truth will be on the pitch and we'll see on Saturday what will happen. But, as a Frenchman, l believe in Kylian.
“Kylian doesn't read what’s written, he concentrates on the match. He’s going to be focused on what’s expected of him, rather than the players he will face. He’s very composed and determined.”
