World Cup 2022: Saka Dispels Mbappe Comparisons Ahead of France England

• England and France will meet in the quarter-final of the Qatar 2022 World Cup
• Bukayo Saka is one of the favourites to be the tournament's best young player
• This has led some to compare him to Mbappe, but Saka has dispelled this talk

The Three Lions of England and defending champion Les Bleus of France will meet in the quarter-final of the World Cup, after they beat Senegal and Poland respectively.

The match epitomises a real challenge for the English team, they are not favourites against France but they are also not pushovers, having a balanced squad of youth and experienced players.

Bukayo Saka, England's 2021 Player of the Year and one of the country's brightest youngsters, has been one of the best in this tournament and one of the young players of the tournament so far.

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Kylian Mbappe was the Young Player of the Tournament in Russia four years ago, and this has drawn questions to Saka on if he can emulate Mbappe and win the award.

There's only one Mbappe

Saka recognised the comparison as a compliment, but politely dispelled it in an interview quoted by L'equipe.

''Thank you for the compliment, but no, there is only one Kylian Mbappé. In the same way that there is only one player like me. I just want to be myself, help the team in the best way possible.''

Saka aims for team glory

Saka further acknowledged other young players in the tournament, particularly mentioning teammate Jude Bellingham. He also aims for team glory over personal accolades.

''In this World Cup, there are many quality young players, I could name a lot. Even in our team, there are a lot of young people who are performing, like Jude Bellingham. But our priority is to win the tournament, rather than to win the title of revelation of the tournament.'"

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Saka and Bellingham as teammates?

Sports Brief earlier reported on Manchester City's interest in Jude Bellingham and willingness to sell Jack Grealish to fund the transfer of the English youngster.

Sports Brief also reported that Pep Guardiola says Saka is a dream signing and wants to take advantage of his contract situation at Arsenal to tempt him to the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City are reputable big money spenders, and are financially capable of pulling off both deals to see Saka and Bellingham as club mates.