Rio Ferdinand has named England’s Kyle Walker as the ‘only defender on the planet’ that can stop Kylian Mbappe.
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Gary Neville also views Manchester City full-back Walker as the ‘perfect’ player to stop Mbappe ahead of a possible quarter-final clash against France.
Mbappe helped France win the World Cup in Russia four years ago and has enjoyed a superb start to this campaign, scoring three goals in two matches.
The Paris Saint-Germain star opened his tally in Qatar in France’s emphatic 4-1 victory over Australia and then scored a brace in a narrow 2-1 win against Denmark.
Having already qualified for the knockout stages, France will likely play the runner-up from Group C, which is currently Argentina, although that could change as they face Poland on Wednesday.
England secured top spot in Group B with a 3-0 win over Wales on Tuesday and will face African champions Senegal in the last-16.
A possible quarter-final game with France awaits and while Didier Deschamps’ side look one of the strongest teams in Qatar, Ferdinand and Neville believe England’s Walker could nullify Mbappe.
Walker was only deemed fit enough to be on the bench for England’s opening two group matches but returned to the starting XI against Wales, replacing Kieran Trippier.
‘I always thought we’d play three at the back in this tournament, but I don’t think we will now,’ Neville told Sky Sports when asked how he believes Gareth Southgate will set England up for the rest of the World Cup.
‘I didn’t think the centre-back pairing would be strong enough, but John Stones and Harry Maguire are holding up.
‘It’s whether what they’ve played against so far in the first three games is going to be anything like what they face moving forward, and I don’t think it is.
‘It looks like a collision course waiting to happen doesn’t it? Mbappe versus Walker. We’ve got the perfect right-back to deal with Mbappe if anyone can – physical, pace, experience.’
Ferdinand also addressed the possible England v France game on his YouTube channel, adding: ‘For me, Kyle Walker is the only defender on the planet right now that will stand there and go to Mbappe: “Right, 1-v-1, let’s have a race.”
‘He will back himself too. We saw it in the Euros. He’s got the confidence to do that and he’s the only one capable of doing that I think.’
