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North London duo, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka, have been everpresent for England at Qatar 2022. France should be cautious against the attackers who are amongst the Premier League’s best.
In Kylian Mbappe, France has the leading goalscorer in the World Cup. The PSG star is a shoo-in for the Golden Boot and will be their most potent threat in the quarter-final meeting with England.
The English camps have made no secret of their appreciation of Mbappe’s talents. Moreover, they are ready to silence his partners in crime, France’s all-time top goalscorer Olivier Giroud and the omnipresent Antoine Griezmann, who is making his 72nd consecutive international appearance.
However, Southgate has kept his silence over his plans to tame the world champions. Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka have started every game for the Three Lions.
Raheem Sterling was forced to return home and in his absence, Phil Foden has shone. The Chelsea winger is back in first-team contention but it seems Southgate’s mind is made up. All four are involved in a battle for the Premier League title and have made their place in stiff competition from international stars.
France needs to be wary of England’s attacking talents ahead of their clash with England at Al Bayt Stadium. Former France U21 international is fully aware of the Three Lions’ protracted attacking lineup thanks to his time with Southampton.
In an interview with L’Équipe, the 25-year-old praised Kane for as the complete attacker, one who is a danger on the ball and without it. The Tottenham forward arrived in Qatar on the back of 12 goals from 15 games but has struggled for goals in England colours.
The 5 England players with most goals under Gareth Southgate 👏
4⃣7⃣⚽️ – Harry Kane
1⃣8⃣⚽️ – Raheem Sterling
1⃣4⃣⚽️ – Marcus Rashford
7⃣⚽️ – Harry Maguire
7⃣⚽️ – Bukayo Saka pic.twitter.com/EdBbxiyUsr— Stats24 (@_Stats24) December 10, 2022
“Among the players that I have gone up against in the Premier League, he is one of the most impressive: a super complete attacker, able to collect the ball, direct the game, because he has a quality of passing, as well as a vision of the game, that is exceptional,” he said.
“Kane is constantly on the move, he finds himself in the box when the English are in a high position and then slips between the lines in the rapid transition phase. He is the centrepiece of this team, he can light the match up with a shot, a pass, or a turnover.”
‘Unpredictable’ Saka amongst the best in Premier League
Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden ply their trade for opposing Manchester clubs and are in a battle for a starting eleven spot. Raheem Sterling is also in contention, with all three attackers providing different values to their ranks.
Foden’s technical ability on the ball adds another playmaking threat to a side that has combative midfielders nullifying their rivals. Rashford on the other hand can run at the defence and bring the ball into dangerous areas.
Meanwhile, Sterling is not only great on the ball but his spatial awareness in the box allows him to dominate his rivals. It is his pace that has left him and leaves a lot to be desired. The same cannot be said about Saka, who does everything despite his tender age.
“As a left-back, I have often had to face him, face to face as we say. He is quite unpredictable, in a good way, with a great left foot and quite a good right foot. To that end, it is sometimes necessary to double up on him,” Perraud added.
“Saka is fast, very lively, but he also knows how to finish chances, he has shown this at this World Cup (three goals). Among Premier League right-wingers, he is among the best, along with [Mo] Salah and [Riyad] Mahrez. And then tactically Saka is on point, he makes a lot of defensive efforts.”
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