FORMER Southend United favourite Bilel Mohsni believes France's firepower will see them past England in Saturday's World Cup quarter-final clash.

The two nations will go head to head in Qatar this weekend.

And Paris born Mohsni is certain it will be his nation who make it through to the final four.

"I think France will win," said Mohsni.

"When England played Senegal in the last round I saw how poor the defence was and for France Mbappe and Dembele are on fire.

"I don’t know what defence can stop them but I don't think it will be England.

"Maybe Brazil because they’re playing well but not many teams will be able to cope with France."

England beat Senegal 3-0 in the round of 16 while France saw off Poland 3-1.

And Mohsni is looking forward to this weekend's clash.

"I was very happy they both got through," said Mohsni.

"I’m from France and played many years in the UK.

"I think both teams have very good players and I’m looking forward to seeing what they do.

"I think it will be a very tough game and it will be a good quarter-final but I've been enjoying all the games.

"Obviously it’s strange they’re happening in the middle of the season but so far I’ve enjoyed it."

Mohsni has been tracking the action from back home in France.

But not so long ago he was playing five-a-side football against experienced French forward Antoine Griezmann.

"I know a little bit of Griezmann," said Mohsni.

"We played five-a-side against him.

"I don’t know him well or anything like that but we played against each other during lockdown.

"Ben Arfa and Mahrez were playing too and we played a couple of games which was good."

However, Mohsni will not be playing too much moving forward after deciding to retire at the age of 35.

"I’ve stopped playing now," said Mohsni.

"My mum needs me for my dad who has Alzheimers.

"My mum is starting to get very tired and she looks after him very, very well and better than if he was in hospital.

"I’ve stopped playing first of all because of my family and I didn’t want to look for another club.

"I’ve hung my boots up and it’s been good.

"I’ve enjoyed playing football and being a professional.

"I wasn’t going to play all of my life and now I’m in France with my family and I will enjoy my time with my dad."

Mohsni made 80 appearances for Blues between 2010 and 2013 and will always look back on his time at Roots Hall with real fondness.

"I was working at 17 and 18 and wasn’t in an academy and then my life changed," said Mohsni.

"Southend offered me a contract and I was very lucky.

"After six months a Premier League club were interested and that would’ve changed my life completely but it didn’t happen.

"I enjoyed all my career and have some good memories.

"I made some mistakes and I didn’t learn how to behave in an academy, that’s what I missed.

"But maybe if I was in an academy I might have been a different player.

"I made mistakes but I enjoyed most of what football gave me and I only remember the good things.

"That definitely includes Southend, my first contract, my first goal and how the fans treated me there.

"I'll never forget that."

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