England National Team is Asked Not Only to Focus on Kylian Mbappe
JAKARTA - The England national team will face France in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The figure of Kylian Mbappe will certainly be the main concern of the Three Lions defenders.
However, the English defender, Kyle Walker, asked his team not only to focus on the figure of Mbappe. He admits the Paris Saint-Germain player is a sharp striker, but thinks it is a team game.
"I know he is a top player but we don't play tennis. This is not a solo sport, it is a team sport," said the Manchester City defender as quoted by Antara via AFP, Wednesday, December 7, 2022.
Walker, who plays as a right-back, is likely to face Mbappe often. He should be wary considering that Mbappe is in a state of high confidence after becoming the top scorer at the 2022 World Cup with five goals.
"We know he's a really great player and that's why he's the focus of all the attention. However, don't forget (Olivier) Giroud, who scores so many goals, (Ousmane) Dembele, for me just as good on the other wing," he said. walker.
Walker once felt how it was against Mbappe. At that time, he was defending Manchester City who met PSG in the Champions League. It was from that match that Walker learned not to focus on the 23-year-old.
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"When we play Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, we don't think only about Mbappe and it will be the same thing on Saturday," said Walker.
"It's true, he is a main player, and a very good one, but you can't underestimate the other players," he continued.
Walker was also a little annoyed by the media crew's questions about Mbappe and how England confronted him. According to him, this match is not England versus Mbappe, but a meeting between England and France.
"We will respect him but I will not allow him to score. It's a decider, if we lose we go home," said the 32-year-old.
"I understood what I needed to do and that was to stop him. It might be easier said than done but I'm not underestimating my own abilities."
"I have met a lot of great players so I will treat it as another game with them," he added.