Walker won't 'roll out red carpet' for Mbappe in 'do or die' World Cup clash

The England right-back has the daunting task of trying to keep out the Paris Saint-Germain forward, who is the tournament's top scorer with five goals.

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Fans are excited at seeing the two face each other in this weekend's World Cup clash as the Three Lions and Les Bleus compete for a place in the semi-final.

Walker's pre-match press conference was dominated by questions on how he plans to nullify the 23-year-old.

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But the Manchester City defender, who has enjoyed four battles with Mbappe in the Champions League, has stressed he isn't scared by the challenge.

He said: "The game isn't England vs Mbappe, it's England vs France.

"We will give respect but I'm not going to roll out a red carpet for him to score. It's do or die as if we lose we go home."

Pressed on how you go about defending a player like Mbappe, Walker remarked: "I do understand what I need to do and that's to stop him.

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"It's probably easier said than done but I don't underestimate myself.

"I have played against some great players with Man City and England, I treat it as another game.

"I'll give him the respect he deserves but not too much because this is England.

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"No one player makes a team. This isn't tennis, it isn't a solo sport."

Before adding: "Obviously it is always going to help because I've played against him a number of times now with Manchester City.

"He is a fantastic player in great form. It is not going to be an easy task.

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"But as a professional footballer you want to play against the best and I think he is one of the best if not the best in the world at the moment."

Walker's teammate James Maddison believes Walker can 'do a job' on Mbappe as he insisted the ex-Monaco forward isn't France's only threat.

Matty Cash, who was tormented by Mbappe in France's last-16 victory over Poland, recently revealed the 2018 World Cup winner is the 'quickest thing' he's ever seen.

But the Aston Villa man stated he doesn't have any tips for Walker, as his past experience of facing him puts him in good stead.

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He told talkSPORT: "If you look at Kyle Walker's attributes in terms of defending, he is an unbelievable one-on-one defender.

"He's probably just as quick as Mbappe. That'll be a very good battle which I'm really looking forward to watching actually.

"As I say, though, I don't need to really give Kyle Walker any tips. He's played against him many times and he'll know what to do.

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