Amongst wingers in Europe’s high 5 leagues over the previous 12 months, Mbappe ranks within the backside 10 per cent in tackles, interceptions, blocks and touches within the defensive third. His warmth map routinely carries vibrant splotches within the opposition half and a clean canvas in his personal territory.
In different phrases, he has little to no real interest in monitoring again.
That’s not meant as a criticism of his expertise (few broad gamers along with his scoring capability carry a lot defensive work price), however quite a sign of an space England might exploit.
Whereas it will likely be tough to decelerate Mbappe when France counter-attack, the Three Lions might additionally use the 23-year-old’s aggressiveness towards him. They’ll counter the counter-attack, if you’ll, and push ahead with tempo down Mbappe’s flank figuring out he in all probability will not present resistance.
France supervisor Didier Deschamps envisioned that this may very well be an issue within the knockout levels in Qatar, warning Mbappe by means of Telefoot that “on the highest stage, we will’t afford to lose a participant once we don’t have the ball”.
England are hoarders of high quality right-backs, and even with Reece James’ premature harm, Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier and Trent Alexander-Arnold all carry a menace down Mbappe’s facet when play transitions from defence to assault. Of the three, Walker is likeliest to start out after getting the nod towards Senegal within the final 16.
Neville advised ITV that the Manchester Metropolis defender is best outfitted than anybody else on this planet to go step-for-step with Mbappe due to his famend tempo, and the previous England right-back is probably not far off.
Walker is, for what it is price, the closest factor to the motorised treatment that Poland striker Arkadiusz Milik prescribed for stopping Mbappe. “I feel we’d want scooters to [stop him] as a result of he’s so quick!” Milik joked.
Latest accidents and age might forestall Walker from going a full 90 minutes, although, and if the Three Lions are chasing the sport, it may very well be time to unleash the elite playmaking talent set of Alexander-Arnold to place most strain on Mbappe’s wing.
Alexander-Arnold and both Saka or Marcus Rashford working at drained French legs within the closing quarter-hour? It may very well be the right recipe for Southgate.