Kylian Mbappe misses France training days before World Cup quarter-final versus England | OneFootball

PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe sat out training for France on Tuesday ahead of Saturday evening’s World Cup quarter-final against England.

The forward was instead working in the recovery room as the France squad prepare for this weekend’s last-eight tie versus Gareth Southgate’s side.

Mbappe is currently the leading scorer at the World Cup as he has netted five goals in four games.

Olivier Giroud admits the Paris St Germain star is the best striker he has played with – and says he will get even better.

Former Arsenal forward Giroud broke Thierry Henry’s all-time goal-scoring record for France when he scored his 52nd goal for his country against Poland in the last 16.

But it is a record he expects Mbappe to beat eventually.

“Kylian is basically one of the best players I’ve played with,” Giroud said. “He is amazing and still young, which is scary as he can still improve.

“He is very efficient and from the beginning he’s been crucial for us, very decisive. He’s obviously the best striker I’ve played with in all of the teams I’ve played in.

“We’ve not seen the best of him, I hope it’s going to come soon and he will beat all the records.”

France face England for a place in the semi-finals on Saturday in what Giroud believes will be a “special” game.

“For England, they have had a good tournament,” added the 36-year-old. “I hope they will have a tough game on Saturday.

“I know this team very well. It’s a special game for us. They have so many young players in this generation, I think they have quality and quantity in the squad.

“They have different options and it will be a nice game to watch. I hope it’s going to go well for us.”

If Mbappe is fit enough to play this weekend, former Premier League goalkeeper Brad Friedel thinks Kyle Walker can get the better of him.

“I think Kyle Walker on that side can run with Mbappe, and that’s where I’m thinking he has the physical capabilities of shutting them down,” Friedel told bookmakers.com.

“Kyle’s the fastest player I’ve ever played with in my life. And on the attacking front, that England can impose on France, because France has conceded quite a few chances.

“I mean, they conceded quite a few in the first half against Poland. And I see England going through again, but really close, really tight.”

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