Bukayo Saka celebrates after putting England 3-0 up against Senegal

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I am not Mbappe, I am just me-Bukayo Saka

By Our Reporter On Dec 5, 2022 0

Nigeria born England international Bukayo Saka has down played the notion that he can be the “next Kylian Mbappe” as England prepare to take on France in the World Cup quarter-finals this weekend.

After beating Senegal 3-0 on Sunday night, England’s next challenge is against the reigning World Cup champions pearheaded by talisman Mbappe in attack.

Four years ago at the World Cup in Russia, Mbappe was just 19 years old when he helped fire France to the title winning the FIFA Young Player of the Tournament for his four goals scored -while he also became just the second teenager to score in a World Cup final.

When Saka was asked if he feels like he is having a similar tournament to the France forward four years ago, the 21-year-old replied: “Thank you for the compliment but no. There’s only one Kylian Mbappe.

“At the same time, there’s only one me. I want to be myself and help the team in the best way I can.

“There are so many young players in the tournament, I can name so many. Even in our team, there’s a young player who’s doing unbelievably well in Jude Bellingham.

“I’m just happy we are all here and doing well. The priority is to win the tournament, not be player or young player of the tournament.”

When asked more about Mbappe’s status in the game, Saka replied: “For me he’s one of the best players in the world. He’s up there.

“Of course we know the quality he has and as a team we have to prepare to try and stop him. France have a lot of other quality players and we need to be aware of that.”

The prospect of a penalty shootout rests over Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final should the game, as expected, be too close to call.

Saka and Mbappe know full well the heartache that could come with a shootout defeat. The England winger missed the crucial spot kick as they lost the Euro 2020 final to Italy last summer, while Mbappe suffered the same fate as France crashed out of the same tournament against Switzerland in the last-16 stage.