England will take on defending World Cup champions, France, in the quarter-finals for Qatar 2022. So, HITC Football looks at a combined XI of the two teams including Kylian Mbappe.
The Three Lions booked their place in the final-eight showdown with Les Bleus after beating Senegal 3-0 on Sunday. Gareth Southgate is striving to better England’s semi-final run from 2018. They would finish in fourth in Russia after losing to Belgium in the third-place play-off.
Didier Deschamps’ title-holders, meanwhile, progressed from the Round of 16 last Sunday after they beat Poland 3-1. France and England both made the knockout stages at the 22nd edition of FIFA’s quadrennial tournament after finishing first in groups D and B respectively.
England are to face a France XI for the first time since losing 3-2 five years ago
England and France meet at Al Bayt Stadium on Saturday, December 10 at 19:00 GMT in the quarter-finals. It is the first time the nations have met in any competition since Les Bleus won a friendly 3-2 in June 2017. But the Three Lions hold the superior head-to-head record.
Despite a Harry Kane brace failing to prevent France beating England, the Three Lions have won 17 of their previous 31 games against Les Bleus. The cross-English Channel rivalry also features five draws to nine French wins. England last beat France 2-0 in a friendly in 2015.
England have also won their previous two games against France at World Cups. The Three Lions won 2-0 in their last Group 1 game en route to a maiden – and still only – title in 1966. They then claimed a 3-1 win during the two nations’ first Group 4 match during Spain 1982.
So, with England and France meeting in a World Cup knockout stage game for the first time at Qatar 2022, HITC Football has looked at who would make a combined XI with Mbappe…
Jordan Pickford (GK): England have the edge between the sticks in our combined XI
England have the edge between the sticks in our combined XI through Jordan Pickford over France captain Hugo Lloris. The Everton star has already kept three clean sheets in Qatar and produced a number of vital saves. While the Tottenham ace has relied on his defenders.
Kyle Walker (RB): Southgate could spot an advantage in France’s lack of a full-back
Southgate may spot an advantage at full-back when the England coach combs through the France XI. While Kyle Walker has returned from groin surgery without skipping a beat, Jules Kounde has acted as Deschamps’ favoured name in the role despite being a centre-half.
Raphael Varane (CB): Deschamps will be thrilled he is in France’s XI vs England
Deschamps has an abundance of talent at centre-half but will be glad Raphael Varane could overcome his pre-tournament knee injury. The Manchester United star only missed France’s win over Australia and played a crucial role in keeping Robert Lewandowski of Poland quiet.
Harry Maguire (CB): The Manchester United outcast has been a rock in England’s XI
Harry Maguire travelled to Qatar having started one of his two Premier League outings since August. Yet Southgate backed the Manchester United outcast to start for England. A call he has not regretted, either, as the 29-year-old has been among the best at the World Cup yet.
Theo Hernandez (LB): The AC Milan ace has stepped up after his brother’s injury
Theo Hernandez began the World Cup on the bench to his brother, Lucas. But the AC Milan ace replaced the Bayern Munich star after 13 minutes against Australia after Lucas ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament. He has since supplied two assists from three appearances.
Adrien Rabiot (CM): In our combined England-France XI and on many club’s radars
Adrien Rabiot makes our combined England vs France XI and is on many clubs’ radars for a transfer in 2023. The Juventus star has been central to Les Bleus’ efforts with his reading of the game and ability to distribute the ball. He has also scored once and provided an assist.
Yet despite Deschamps hailing Rabiot as a ‘complete midfielder’, Calciomercato reports his Serie A side could sell him next year. The 27-year-old’s €7m-a-year (£115k-a/w) deal expires in June and he sees a €10m-a-year (£165k-a/w) salary as a realistic and minimum demand.
Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea will all be willing to pay Rabiot the salary he and his agent/mother, Veronique, demand. But Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri could yet try to keep Rabiot in Turin, where he has a key role and has five goals in 16 games this season.
Aurelien Tchouameni (CM): France’s £86m answer to Pogba and Kante’s absences
Deschamps suffered a major blow ahead of the World Cup after Chelsea announced N’Golo Kante required hamstring surgery. He also opted against risking Paul Pogba as the Juventus star is yet to play at all since re-joining the Bianconeri in July due to knee and thigh injuries.
But Aurelien Tchouameni is showing in their absence why Real Madrid paid Monaco €100m (£86m) to sign him in June. The 22-year-old has shown he can offer Pogba’s physicality and Kante’s defensive nous. The Galacticos talent can also produce a teasing shot from range.
Jude Bellingham (CM): Surely a favourite to win the 2022 Best Young Player award
Jude Bellingham is just 19 but is the heartbeat of England’s midfield at the 2022 World Cup. The Borussia Dortmund teenager drives the Three Lions up the field and makes an impact at both ends. He is showing the globe that his skill and wisdom are far, far beyond his years.
Bukayo Saka (RW): The Arsenal ace justified England’s XI selections against Senegal
Southgate may have surprised some when he started Bukayo Saka over Marcus Rashford in the Round of 16 against Senegal. But the Arsenal ace justified his opening call with his third goal in four games at Qatar 2022. France will now have to limit his attacking threat.
Harry Kane (ST): Southgate will be relieved to see his captain end his goal drought
Kane had a laboursome group stage with two assists but no goals and just seven touches in opponent’s areas. So, Southgate will be relieved to see his captain end his drought with a well-taken finish against Senegal. Yet he only took two touches in the box, per WhoScored.
Kylian Mbappe (LW): A Golden Ball could await the 2018 Best Young Player in 2022
France won the World Cup in 2018 with a 19-year-old Mbappe instrumental to their efforts. His four goals and an assist in Russia saw FIFA hail the winger as just the third Best Young Player to win the award after Pele in 1958 and Michael Owen in 1998 before yet turning 20.
Now 23, Mbappe is chasing the 2022 Golden Ball with five goals and two assists after his first four games. He has had a bigger say on his nation’s results in Qatar than, arguably, any other player so far. Walker will have to be alert for England to keep the France star in check.
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