Theo Walcott believes France forward Kylian Mbappe would struggle against the physicality of England defender Kyle Walker.
The Paris Saint-Germain superstar opened his tally in Qatar in France’s emphatic 4-1 win over Australia and then scored twice in a narrow 2-1 victory against Denmark.
Having already qualified for the knockout stages, France will play the runner-up from Group C, which is Poland.
England secured top spot in Group B with a comfortable 3-0 win over Wales on Tuesday night and will face African champions Senegal in the last-16.
A possible quarter-final clash with France awaits and while Didier Deschamps’ side look one of the strongest teams in Qatar, Southampton star Walcott believes England’s Walker would nullify their star man Mbappe.
Walker was only deemed fit enough to be on the bench for England’s opening two group games but returned to the starting line-up against Wales, replacing Newcastle United’s Kieran Trippier.
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.
“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.”
