MAKE OR BRAKE
Three Lions’ Kyle Walker vows to give French superstar Kylian Mbappe a run for his money in World Cup showdown
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THREE Lions speed merchant Kyle Walker yesterday vowed to give French flier Kylian Mbappe a proper run for his money in Saturday’s World Cup showdown
The England full back, 32, said: “I’m not going to roll out the red carpet for him and tell him to go and score. It’s do or die.”
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The 23-year-old French ace has himself said of gritty campaigner Kyle: “He is one of the rare players who make me suffer.”
Manchester City star Kyle can put the brakes on the Paris Saint-Germain superstar, who has already scored five goals in Qatar.
With a top sprint speed of 23.48mph, Walker virtually matches Mbappe (23.50mph) for pace.
The pair’s duel has become the focal point of a potentially epic quarter-final clash at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor.
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Kyle insisted yesterday: “This game is not England v Mbappe. The game is England v France.
“If we lose we go home. He’s not going to stand in my way of hopefully winning a World Cup for my country.” He added: “Do I understand the focus on Mbappe? Of course I do.
“I understand what I need to do and that’s obviously to stop him.
“It’s probably easier said than done but I don’t underestimate myself. I’ve played him before and I’ve come up against great players with England, Man City and other clubs.
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“I have to give him the respect he deserves but not too much because he’s playing England and we can also cause them problems.”
The rivals - who are both 5ft 10in tall — have faced each other four times in the past while playing for their clubs in the Champions League and a friendly. The results are level at two wins each.
Mbappe has only scored once playing against Kyle — and that was in a 2-1 defeat in November. Statistics show Walker has been dribbled past just three times in his last 24 England games.
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Wily Kyle — who has 74 international caps — also told how his superior experience could be the key to thwarting Mbappe.
He said: “You have to use a little bit of nous - you can’t be a speedboat without a driver.
“You need to obviously use your brain when needed and I can’t get as tight to him as I probably would with some other players.
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“France versus England has always been a great game and a great battle. . . . and you are going to get another one on Saturday.”
Kyle refused to accept that the Three Lions will be the underdogs against the world champions.
He said: “don't see an outright favourite or an underdog. I see two very good teams that are going to go toe-to-toe.”
Mbappe missed training on Monday and was spotted in an injury recovery room. But France said he rejoined the squad yesterday and is likely to fit to play.
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Before England beat Senegal 3-0 in their last match, Match of the Day host and ex-Three Lions ace Gary Lineker suggested resting Walker to save him for battle with Mbappe.
He said Kyle is “just about the only full-back on the planet that can compete with Kylian Mbappe — and that is the French team”.
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