Football

World Cup 2022: England does not have any weaknesses and Mbappe can do better

France takes on the challenge of England in the quarter-finals with Didier Deschamps in awe of the Three Lions. The World Cup-winning captain and coach wants more from his 23-year-old talisman and believes there is more to come from him in Qatar.

Harry Kane

Since the turn of the new millennium, England has been serial underachievers. They failed to qualify for Euro 2008 and gave middling performances in international events. This all has changed under Gareth Southgate, a fact that has not gone unnoticed by the current Les Bleus head coach. 

Deschamps praised Southgate for his work done with England. The duo have had numerous conversations and hold each other in high regard. It is telling about the current Three Lions supremo status, especially in the backdrop of the World Cup.

Southgate became a hero for taking England to Russia 2018 semi-finals and Euro 2020 finals. However, he has had his credentials questioned after their recent debacle at the UEFA Nations League. Deschamps lies in the former category and believes his efforts have made The  

“I very much like Gareth,” Deschamps said. “We have met on several occasions and have talked about a number of things. He had a long and distinguished career and he is also a very good coach. He has enabled England to get some very good results over the years.”

“If I am understood correctly, not everyone appreciates him so much in his own country (England),” the France manager commented.

“They don’t have any,” the France 1998 World Cup-winning captain remarked about England’s weaknesses.

England unlucky not to win Euro 2020

Plenty of French players play or have played professional football in the Premier League. Paul Pogba and N’golo Kante have used their experience for Les Bleus’ cause in recent years. Olivier Giroud played the bulk of his top-level football in England with Arsenal and Chelsea. 

However, it is captain Hugo Lloris who can get away with making a claim for being a native and get away with. The goalkeeper has been with Tottenham for over ten years, nine of whom have been spent alongside England captain Harry Kane. 

Lloris has seen a ‘real progression’ in English players under Southgate’s tutelage thanks to their international competition progress. He believes the Three Lions are genuine contenders to being the World Champions and would be the reigning European champions had they been more fortunate.

“There is a real progression and I believe this team is getting more mature and ready to compete for trophies,” Lloris remarked. “They were a little bit unlucky at the last Euros. They got very close but they are here to win.”

Mbappe has more in reserve

Kylian Mbappe

As it stands, Kylian Mbappe is leading the Golden Boot race with five goals to his name. He dismantled Poland in France’s 3-1 win with two goals and an assist. The PSG could have had more to his tally but was only allowed a 27-minute cameo in their final group game defeat to Tunisia.

Deschamps has seen Mbappe transform from a lanky youngster with potential to a footballing superstar. He was pleased with his performance against Poland but does not believe it was his best performance and more is to come from him. 

“I’m sure England will have prepared to face Kylian, as our previous opponents did, but he is in a position to make the difference,” Deschamps said. “Even in the last match when he didn’t have his best match, he didn’t show his top form compared to previous games, he was still decisive. We have other players that can be dangerous as well and that helps us not to be over-dependent on Kylian.

“But Kylian is Kylian, and he always will be. He has that capacity to make the difference at any moment in the match.”


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