France are not dependent on Kylian Mbappe for World Cup success, Adrien Rabiot claims
Didier Deschamps’ defending champions face England in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
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Midfielder Adrien Rabiot insists France are not dependent on Kylian Mbappe for success at the World Cup.
Didier Deschamps’ defending champions face England in the quarter-finals on Saturday and in Mbappe they have the tournament’s leading scorer with five goals in four matches.
However, they also have the joint second-highest scorer in Olivier Giroud, with three, and Rabiot stressed they are not a one-man team.
“There is no dependency. It is our main weapon but we also have other players who can make a difference in other ways,” the Juventus midfielder said.
“We count on him as on all the players in the group. Everyone needs to be in good health to face England.
“Kylian is impressive and from year to year he evolves and becomes even better. I don’t know where it will stop. We are lucky to have him in our team and not against us.”
As arguably the best player in the world currently, Mbappe’s every move is monitored and his non-appearance at training on Tuesday became a subject of discussion for 24 hours.
However, it is understood the Paris Saint-Germain forward will rejoin the squad for a closed session on Wednesday night and team-mate Ibrahima Konate said it was not a issue for the rest of the squad.
“We haven’t really spoken about it at all. He was just resting yesterday,” said the Liverpool centre-back.
Kylian is impressive and from year to year he evolves and becomes even better. I don't know where it will stop
“It was a little recovery session, the day before we had a day off. I think he decided to stay indoors with the coach, there is nothing to worry about.”
Mbappe is likely to be up against Manchester City right-back Kyle Walker and Konate added: “Walker and Mbappe are two very great players.
“Walker is one of the best right-backs in the world, I can’t wait to see this battle.”
The chances of Konate’s Liverpool team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold facing Mbappe at the weekend are slim but he has been in touch ahead of the game.
“This rivalry has existed for a long time, at under-16s I played England and it was a different match,” Konate said.
“This rivalry has existed since the dawn of time. Alexander-Arnold sent me a message saying ‘see you Saturday my brother’ because I am very close to him.”
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