James Maddison backed Kyle Walker to “do a job” on Kylian Mbappe within the World Cup quarter-final however acknowledged England should take care of a number of France threats on Saturday.
The in-form Mbappe scored twice in Sunday’s 3-1 round-of-16 win over Poland, simply hours earlier than England cruised previous Senegal 3-0 to achieve the final eight of their third straight main match.
A pair of fantastic right-footed strikes took the France ahead to 5 for the match in Qatar, handing him the outright lead within the Golden Boot race as Les Bleus look to regain their world crown.
Former England defender Gary Neville labelled Walker as “the most effective right-back on this planet” to take care of the Paris Saint-Germain star on the Al Bayt Stadium and Maddison echoed the pundit’s sentiment.
“He’s clearly a unbelievable participant, among the best on this planet,” the Leicester Metropolis midfielder informed talkSPORT. “I’m positive we’ll put together proper to try to cease him.
“Kyle Walker began right-back within the recreation in opposition to Senegal and he’s among the best full-backs on this planet. I feel if anybody can do a job, it’s him.
“However France have plenty of threats. It’s not simply Kylian Mbappe. They’re an excellent staff and that’s why they’re reigning champions.
“We’ve received lots to be cautious of however the tactical work that we do, and the workers right here, the work that goes in on the background that individuals don’t see, will depart us in good stead and hopefully we will progress.”
Whereas the likes of Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham have shone for Gareth Southgate in Qatar, Maddison is but to look for England.
The 26-year-old, who has only one cap to his title, missed the primary two video games attributable to a knee damage earlier than Southgate opted for different choices in opposition to Wales and Senegal.
Maddison hopes he’ll quickly get the prospect to impress as England goal for back-to-back World Cup semi-finals, although stays delighted to have skilled travelling to a significant match along with his nation.
“Involvement isn’t all the time essentially minutes on the pitch and I feel that’s most likely one thing I’ve learnt in the previous few weeks of being out right here,” he added.
“In fact, each participant desires to play and I’m no completely different. I’m determined to get on the market and present what I can do. However it’s one among them – my first main match at senior stage and it’s good to be part of.
“It’s such a studying curve and also you acquire a lot expertise with out even realising, simply on a day-to-day foundation of the way it works, what it takes to achieve success – and we’ve got been profitable to this point.
“I’m feeling good, the damage’s gone. I’m feeling 100 per cent. I’ve been coaching for some time now, I’ve been accessible for the final couple of video games.
“It’s nearly staying affected person, staying prepared, which I’m. Working exhausting and attempting to be an choice for the supervisor if wanted.”
