Indonesia
Nigeria
South Africa

'I would love to see it' - Mbappe 'would struggle' against Walker, insists Walcott

talksport.com, 1 December 2022, 10:32
Theo Walcott believes France forward Kylian Mbappe would struggle against the physicality of England defender Kyle Walker.

The Three Lions will meet Les Bleus in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup if both nations progress from their upcoming last-16 games against Senegal and Australia respectively.

Advertisement

Many consider Paris Saint-Germain superstar Mbappe to be the most dangerous player in Qatar and the 23-year-old backed that up with three goals and one assist in the group stage.

However, Walcott believes England may have the perfect weapon to nullify the Frenchman.

Advertisement

Man City right-back Walker returned from a long-term injury during the 3-0 victory over Wales - and the 32-year-old is one of the few players in world football who could possibly match Mbappe for pace.

In his pomp, Southampton star Walcott was among the Premier League's fastest players and he has faced Walker on a number of occassions.

When asked whether Walker should man-mark Mbappe in a potential quarter-final showdown, ex-Arsenal star Walcott told talkSPORT: "I would love to see it. I really would.

"I feel like Mbappe would struggle against his [Walker's] physicality, if I'm honest.

Advertisement

Advertisement

"He plays in the French league, which is a different kettle of fish to the Premier League and Walker has so much experience in the Champions League.

"So it would be a great test. I think we all want to see it.

"I couldn't tell you who would win that - because Mbappe is a different beast, he's on a different level at the moment."

Advertisement

Despite a 0-0 draw with USA, England breezed through the group and sealed top spot with resounding victories over Iran and Wales.

Walcott, who was selected for the 2006 World Cup with the Three Lions, insists there will be tougher tests to come.

He added: "International football is very difficult at any level - but I don't think we've been tested properly at the back yet.

Advertisement

"But we've been solid and it's coming."

Top News

14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk West Ham United have been linked with a move for Marseille's £25m-rated striker Elye Wahi this month. 14 January 2025 talksport.com Troy Deeney's opinion on Mohamed Salah still hasn't changed, but that's not to say he doesn't think he's brilliant. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal's Premier League North London derby with Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday has the potential to be "the worst possible game" for Gooners if they lose to their biggest adversaries, according to Gunners expert Charles Watts. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Ipswich Town and Brighton & Hove Albion will meet at Portman Road in the top flight for the first time in four decades when they lock horns on Thursday night. 14 January 2025 talksport.com Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly used to 'roll his eyes' whenever Harry Maguire talked in the Manchester United dressing room. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have announced the death of former captain and manager Tony Book at the age of 90. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are reportedly ahead of Newcastle United in the race to sign Sevilla defender Loic Bade. 14 January 2025 talksport.com Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been told that he must 'take the blame' for the club failing to sign a striker. 14 January 2025 talksport.com Michael Owen may boast an enviable goal tally from his career, but he has not been quite so prolific in front of the movie screen. 14 January 2025 talksport.com All Premier League clubs have avoided any charges for breaching Profit and Sustainability rules, but Leicester City remain at risk. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool will reportedly consider using Ben Doak as part of a transfer package to sign Bournemouth attacker Antoine Semenyo. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool manager Arne Slot's tactical acumen will be fiercely tested when his side faces Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Tuesday evening, Reds expert David Lynch has claimed. 14 January 2025 talksport.com Arsenal are close to completing the signing of midfielder Martin Zubimendi -- but he won't arrive until the summer, talkSPORT understands. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal will reportedly complete the signing of Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi at the end of the season. 14 January 2025 talksport.com Timing is everything in comedy, and with the north London derby up next, Sol Campbell has produced a performance for the ages. 14 January 2025 talksport.com Manchester United are among the sides eyeing up £40million rated Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki - two years after missing the chance to snap him up for a fraction of that price tag. 14 January 2025 talksport.com West Ham have had a fresh bid for Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran rejected, talkSPORT understands. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly set their asking price for Christopher Nkunku, who has been heavily linked with a move to Bayern Munich. 14 January 2025 talksport.com Christopher Nkunku has verbally agreed a move to Bayern Munich, talkSPORT understands. 14 January 2025 talksport.com Manchester City are back throwing around the big bucks in an attempt to save their season. 14 January 2025 talksport.com Manchester United host Southampton at Old Trafford on Thursday night aiming to build on their impressive recent results. 14 January 2025 talksport.com Nottingham Forest will be looking to bring themselves right into title contention tonight when they host Liverpool. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Club legend Pat Nevin has suggested that Chelsea's business model will be labelled a failure unless they qualify for next season's Champions League. 14 January 2025 talksport.com Troy Deeney loves Newcastle, regardless of what is being said about him. 14 January 2025 talksport.com Arsenal defender Oleksandr Zinchenko is wanted by Borussia Dortmund, talkSPORT understands. 14 January 2025 talksport.com Emma Raducanu booked her place in the Australian Open second round despite difficulties with her serve. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk De Graafschap and Heracles will be targeting a place in the KNVB Beker quarter-finals when they square off on Thursday night. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Deepest sympathies are with cursed Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus, who just a few weeks on from reigniting his Gunners career is now anticipated to miss the rest of the season with a suspected ACL rupture. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany has told Sports Mole that he expects wantaway defender Kyle Walker to leave the club during the January transfer window. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Leicester City are reportedly willing to sell defender Wout Faes in the January transfer window.