Barring a notable surprise, England national team manager Gareth Southgate is expected to call on Manchester City full-back Kyle Walker to start at the right-back position in the quarterfinal clash against France. Walker is then slated to face off against Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe out on the flanks in the matchup.
For Leicester City playmaker James Maddison, he is well aware of Mbappe’s prowess in being a dynamic winger, but he has full confidence in Walker to help to slow down the versatile French winger.
“He’s a fantastic player, one of the best in the world,” Maddison told TalkSport. “I’m sure we’ll prepare right to try and stop him. Kyle Walker started right-back in the game against Senegal.
“He’s one of the best full-backs in the world, I think if anyone can do a job, I think it’s him.
“But listen, France have a lot of threats, it’s not just Kylian Mbappe.”
Mbappe heads into France’s upcoming knockout stage matchup against England with seven goal contributions recorded at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.