England can't obsess over hotshot Mbappe at World Cup: Walker
England's defender Kyle Walker gives a press conference at the Al Wakrah SC Stadium, south of Doha, on December 7, 2022, during the Qatar 2022 World Cup football tournament. - England and France will meet in one of the Qatar 2022 World Cup quarter-finals on December 10. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)

DOHA, Qatar (AFP) -- England full-back Kyle Walker says his team cannot afford to obsess about France's free-scoring Kylian Mbappe ahead of Saturday's World Cup quarter-final.

Right-back Walker is likely to be directly up against Mbappe, who is the tournament's top scorer so far with five goals.

"I know he's a top player but we're not playing tennis. It's not a solo sport, it's a team game," the Manchester City defender said on Wednesday.

"We know he's a great player and that's why he's the focus of all questions. But let's not forget (Olivier) Giroud, who has scored countless (goals), (Ousmane) Dembele, for me just as good on the other wing."

Walker has come up against Mbappe for Manchester City in the Champions League and said the lesson was not to over-focus on the 23-year-old.

"When we played Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, we were not just thinking of Mbappe and it's going to be the same on Saturday. Yes he's a tool in their armoury -- and a very good one -- but you can't underestimate their other players," he said.

Now you can read the Jamaica Observer ePaper anytime, anywhere. The Jamaica Observer ePaper is available to you at home or at work, and is the same edition as the printed copy available at https://bit.ly/epaper-login

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
Polls

Which long-term investment option is more attractive to you at the moment?