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i think thats the worst chances for engalnd since 66
but let us see what UK journalists think
World Cup Debate: Can England Win The World Cup?
Some of Britain's top journalists have their say on a question that pops up in England every four years...
Sep 5, 2009 2:28:43 PM
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England coach Fabio Capello watches his players train as they prepare for a friendly match against Slovakia
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Some of the best British journalists on the map have come together on Goal.com UK, taking time out of their busy, busy schedules at this World Cup season's frantic beginning to talk all about England.
Can they, will they win only their second ever World Cup this summer in South Africa?
The opinions are varied and sure to spark a lot of interest and double the debate...
Sulmaan Ahmad (Goal.com UK, Chief Editor)
England certainly have the players to potentially win any trophy, particularly as some of the world's superpowers aren't as strong as they have been, but the one thing that will count against them in the World Cup is the fact they are still a team that can be outplayed on a technical level. In a one-legged knockout game in particular, that can be the end of you.
If there was an international league, I would probably back England to sinch it, but this still might be a team one or two world-beaters from being the best. That being said, Capello's track record gives the Three Lions that X-factor and puts them in contention to easily make the final four, from which point, anything could happen...
Patrick Barclay (The Times)
England will win the World Cup for two main reasons.
One is that finally they have a manager who understands how to produce teamwork. In previous decades the players have tended to play for themselves rather than the unit. Steve McClaren, for example, understood this, but he was unable to get the message over to people like Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard. Fabio Capello has cleverly shown these players, and others, roles in which they can operate without bumping into each other. The team have started to win competitive matches and the penny has dropped.
The other reason is the weather. In South Africa it will be cooler even than in England at the same time of year. This will suit the high-tempo game that comes naturally to English players.
Mohammed Bhana (Goal.com UK, Chief Correspondent)
The holding midfielder position is vital for England and as far as I am concerned only Owen Hargreaves can fill the void. If fully fit, Hargreaves can break down the best of attacks, protect defenders and give the team that much needed balance: Gerrard and Lampard cannot play in the middle of the park together. And although Gareth Barry has done well in the holding position, he is by no means as compact and technically sound as Hargreaves.
Steve Boulton (BBC Football Focus)
Everyone at Focus is excited about what will happen in South Africa. We all know that England have their best chance for decades. It would be unbelievable for all of us here to be part of the coverage when England win the World Cup for the first time in over 40 years. I’ve witnessed many thrilling England games and I certainly hope the likes of Rooney really dazzle. He will have a lot of responsibility on his shoulders but if anyone can fire us to victory, he can. He is a fantastic talent who can only get better, and under Capello he does seem to be doing well.
WAZ'LL DAZZLE!
Tim Collings (Collings Media)
England can, but probably will not, win the World Cup next year. The pros and cons suggest that the South African winter and culture, with English as the main language, will suit them. It is, after all, the first non-summer World Cup finals since Argentina '78.
But alas, English football, despite great strides, remains weighed down by a past reliance on physical strength, speed and power and a more natural comfort with 4-4-2. The England team has, commendably, worked to progress under Fabio Capello but the squad lacks the great players, in depth, required to light up the finals.
Excellent in boiler-suits, or overalls, for the qualifying job, they do not have the men who can change into evening wear and dance like Fred Astaire.
Carlo Garganese (Goal.com International, Deputy Chief Editor)
In any normal circumstances I would say that England don’t have a chance of getting any further than the quarter-finals because The Three Lions have always lacked the technical and tactical qualities to make a big impact on a World Cup.
However, the circumstances in 2010 will be different because this is possibly the weakest international era for over 40 years. Most of the usual suspects don’t look strong. Italy have their worst squad since the 1950s, Germany have their worst individuals since the early 60s
, Holland’s defence is Championship-standard, Argentina and France are coached by Maradona and Domenech respectively, Portugal probably won’t qualify.
A lot can change between now and June, but if the World Cup were to kick off tomorrow, England would probably only be behind Brazil and Spain.
Ian Hawkey (The Sunday Times)
They've a good chance of reaching the semis, which is as far as they have got in the last 20 years, but they look inferior to Spain and Brazil, both of whom pass the ball better and have better goalkeepers, to name just two important areas. Rooney's fitness and form look vital for England's progress, so should anything go wrong for him, that would really damage them. With Capello in charge, they should be well prepared, though.
Trevor Haylett (UEFA.com)
Of course they can win it, but it requires four things to fall into place for them.
1) Wayne Rooney needs to encase his metatarsals in cotton-wool. 2) A reliable, top-class goalkeeper has to emerge. Maybe that man is Ben Foster, we will see. 3) A goalscorer capable of breaching the very tightest defences has to come to the fore. Could it be that Jermain Defoe proves to be that talisman? 4) Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and the other key players have to avoid injury and fatigue. It would help England if the English teams are removed from the Champions League before the latter stages.
Ollie Irish (Goal.com)
This is England's best chance to win the World Cup since Italia '90. Fabio Capello has injected a much-needed shot of reality into England's talented but spoiled players, to the point where John Terry, Steven Gerrard & Co now look capable of playing as a team, rather than a bunch of individuals who happen to find themselves on the same side. Will England win it? I tip them to grind their way to the final, where they will be no match for the creative excellence of Spain.
Sid Lowe (The Guardian)
England can win the World Cup... but England WON'T win the World Cup. They can because they have some very good players and a good manager who has a proven track record at the highest level. The other main reason is that if they get through the group stages, and get a good draw, then the tournament suddenly opens up for them and anything is possible. However, the one big caveat is getting the luck of the draw. In my opinion, England never win more than one big match in major tournaments and I don't expect that to be any different in South Africa. They will simply have to hope their one big game comes in the final.
Ashish Sharma (BBC)
The difference between "can win" and "will win" is about as far apart as London and Johannesberg. England can win the World Cup. A team boasting midfield goalscorers of the calibre of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, with a world class striker like Wayne Rooney in attack, can never be discounted. But I don't expect England to win. Aside from lacking quality in key areas such as in goal, or the wide positions, the weight of expectation sits heavy on English souls. Surely by now the fans have realised that during an England penalty shoot out, it's best to leave BEFORE the start.
Amar Singh (London Evening Standard)
In Capello, England have their most tactically astute manager in years and the team's record in qualifying points to a new-found consistency.
If he can get the big stars such as Gerrard, Rooney, Lampard, Ferdinand and Terry to reproduce their stellar club form on the world stage, then England can beat anyone on their day
Tim Vickery (BBC)
There can't be many football fans round the globe in a worse position to answer this question. Covering the marathon that is the South American qualifying campaign means that there simply hasn't been time to keep up with Capello's England. I've read a bit about the new mantra of 'mentality, mentality, mentality', but what I want to see when it matters is ideas - I never felt represented by Sven's England in the major tournaments. At the risk of sounding like 86 vintage Mick Channon, it was all too negative for my tastes. Win or lose, let's have something more joyful in South Africa.
Andrew Warshaw (International Freelance)
No-one, not even the smartest of analysts, can ever say for sure who will win the World Cup. But England have a better chance of success in South Africa next year than possibly at any time for a generation. Okay that's what everyone said in Germany in 2006, but winning breeds confidence and the winning mentality instilled by Fabio Capello during the current qualifying campaign could, at last, be the missing link we have all craved since 1966.
The climate in South Africa at the time will certainly be to England's liking though much depends on whether their key performers - Rooney, Gerrard, Lampard and the centre of defence - remain fit at the end of a long season. And, of course, on whether England can get enough of the one vital ingredient every world champion needs at some point during the tournament: luck.
Clive White (The Independent)
Not since 1998 have England looked so good going forwards and even then not in qualifying, the problem is that defensively there are too many unanswered questions, notably between the posts and the right-back position. It’s one thing for Brazilian teams to win World Cups with suspect defenders, quite another for the rest of the world.
It’s a good thing that Capello’s strength is defence, because that’s where England’s credentials will be most sorely tested. At least, as a team, they now look organised and cohesive. Also, the weather should be in their favour, but I can’t help feeling they will fall at the final hurdle because of a defensive aberration or two.
but let us see what UK journalists think
World Cup Debate: Can England Win The World Cup?
Some of Britain's top journalists have their say on a question that pops up in England every four years...
Sep 5, 2009 2:28:43 PM
[/size]Photo GalleryZoom
England coach Fabio Capello watches his players train as they prepare for a friendly match against Slovakia
Related Links
Teams
- England
Some of the best British journalists on the map have come together on Goal.com UK, taking time out of their busy, busy schedules at this World Cup season's frantic beginning to talk all about England.
Can they, will they win only their second ever World Cup this summer in South Africa?
The opinions are varied and sure to spark a lot of interest and double the debate...
Sulmaan Ahmad (Goal.com UK, Chief Editor)
England certainly have the players to potentially win any trophy, particularly as some of the world's superpowers aren't as strong as they have been, but the one thing that will count against them in the World Cup is the fact they are still a team that can be outplayed on a technical level. In a one-legged knockout game in particular, that can be the end of you.
If there was an international league, I would probably back England to sinch it, but this still might be a team one or two world-beaters from being the best. That being said, Capello's track record gives the Three Lions that X-factor and puts them in contention to easily make the final four, from which point, anything could happen...
Patrick Barclay (The Times)
England will win the World Cup for two main reasons.
TEAMWORK  |
The other reason is the weather. In South Africa it will be cooler even than in England at the same time of year. This will suit the high-tempo game that comes naturally to English players.
Mohammed Bhana (Goal.com UK, Chief Correspondent)
MIDFIELD  |
Steve Boulton (BBC Football Focus)
Everyone at Focus is excited about what will happen in South Africa. We all know that England have their best chance for decades. It would be unbelievable for all of us here to be part of the coverage when England win the World Cup for the first time in over 40 years. I’ve witnessed many thrilling England games and I certainly hope the likes of Rooney really dazzle. He will have a lot of responsibility on his shoulders but if anyone can fire us to victory, he can. He is a fantastic talent who can only get better, and under Capello he does seem to be doing well.
WAZ'LL DAZZLE!
Tim Collings (Collings Media)
England can, but probably will not, win the World Cup next year. The pros and cons suggest that the South African winter and culture, with English as the main language, will suit them. It is, after all, the first non-summer World Cup finals since Argentina '78.
But alas, English football, despite great strides, remains weighed down by a past reliance on physical strength, speed and power and a more natural comfort with 4-4-2. The England team has, commendably, worked to progress under Fabio Capello but the squad lacks the great players, in depth, required to light up the finals.
Excellent in boiler-suits, or overalls, for the qualifying job, they do not have the men who can change into evening wear and dance like Fred Astaire.
Carlo Garganese (Goal.com International, Deputy Chief Editor)
In any normal circumstances I would say that England don’t have a chance of getting any further than the quarter-finals because The Three Lions have always lacked the technical and tactical qualities to make a big impact on a World Cup.
THE U S U A L SUSPECTS
The decline of international football has hit the heavyweights hard
The decline of international football has hit the heavyweights hard
However, the circumstances in 2010 will be different because this is possibly the weakest international era for over 40 years. Most of the usual suspects don’t look strong. Italy have their worst squad since the 1950s, Germany have their worst individuals since the early 60s
, Holland’s defence is Championship-standard, Argentina and France are coached by Maradona and Domenech respectively, Portugal probably won’t qualify. A lot can change between now and June, but if the World Cup were to kick off tomorrow, England would probably only be behind Brazil and Spain.
Ian Hawkey (The Sunday Times)
They've a good chance of reaching the semis, which is as far as they have got in the last 20 years, but they look inferior to Spain and Brazil, both of whom pass the ball better and have better goalkeepers, to name just two important areas. Rooney's fitness and form look vital for England's progress, so should anything go wrong for him, that would really damage them. With Capello in charge, they should be well prepared, though.
'KEEPER  |
Of course they can win it, but it requires four things to fall into place for them.
1) Wayne Rooney needs to encase his metatarsals in cotton-wool. 2) A reliable, top-class goalkeeper has to emerge. Maybe that man is Ben Foster, we will see. 3) A goalscorer capable of breaching the very tightest defences has to come to the fore. Could it be that Jermain Defoe proves to be that talisman? 4) Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and the other key players have to avoid injury and fatigue. It would help England if the English teams are removed from the Champions League before the latter stages.
Ollie Irish (Goal.com)
This is England's best chance to win the World Cup since Italia '90. Fabio Capello has injected a much-needed shot of reality into England's talented but spoiled players, to the point where John Terry, Steven Gerrard & Co now look capable of playing as a team, rather than a bunch of individuals who happen to find themselves on the same side. Will England win it? I tip them to grind their way to the final, where they will be no match for the creative excellence of Spain.
Sid Lowe (The Guardian)
England can win the World Cup... but England WON'T win the World Cup. They can because they have some very good players and a good manager who has a proven track record at the highest level. The other main reason is that if they get through the group stages, and get a good draw, then the tournament suddenly opens up for them and anything is possible. However, the one big caveat is getting the luck of the draw. In my opinion, England never win more than one big match in major tournaments and I don't expect that to be any different in South Africa. They will simply have to hope their one big game comes in the final.
Ashish Sharma (BBC)
The difference between "can win" and "will win" is about as far apart as London and Johannesberg. England can win the World Cup. A team boasting midfield goalscorers of the calibre of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, with a world class striker like Wayne Rooney in attack, can never be discounted. But I don't expect England to win. Aside from lacking quality in key areas such as in goal, or the wide positions, the weight of expectation sits heavy on English souls. Surely by now the fans have realised that during an England penalty shoot out, it's best to leave BEFORE the start.
THE 'FAB' FACTOR
Amar Singh (London Evening Standard)
In Capello, England have their most tactically astute manager in years and the team's record in qualifying points to a new-found consistency.
If he can get the big stars such as Gerrard, Rooney, Lampard, Ferdinand and Terry to reproduce their stellar club form on the world stage, then England can beat anyone on their day
Tim Vickery (BBC)
There can't be many football fans round the globe in a worse position to answer this question. Covering the marathon that is the South American qualifying campaign means that there simply hasn't been time to keep up with Capello's England. I've read a bit about the new mantra of 'mentality, mentality, mentality', but what I want to see when it matters is ideas - I never felt represented by Sven's England in the major tournaments. At the risk of sounding like 86 vintage Mick Channon, it was all too negative for my tastes. Win or lose, let's have something more joyful in South Africa.
Andrew Warshaw (International Freelance)
No-one, not even the smartest of analysts, can ever say for sure who will win the World Cup. But England have a better chance of success in South Africa next year than possibly at any time for a generation. Okay that's what everyone said in Germany in 2006, but winning breeds confidence and the winning mentality instilled by Fabio Capello during the current qualifying campaign could, at last, be the missing link we have all craved since 1966.
The climate in South Africa at the time will certainly be to England's liking though much depends on whether their key performers - Rooney, Gerrard, Lampard and the centre of defence - remain fit at the end of a long season. And, of course, on whether England can get enough of the one vital ingredient every world champion needs at some point during the tournament: luck.
Clive White (The Independent)
Not since 1998 have England looked so good going forwards and even then not in qualifying, the problem is that defensively there are too many unanswered questions, notably between the posts and the right-back position. It’s one thing for Brazilian teams to win World Cups with suspect defenders, quite another for the rest of the world.
It’s a good thing that Capello’s strength is defence, because that’s where England’s credentials will be most sorely tested. At least, as a team, they now look organised and cohesive. Also, the weather should be in their favour, but I can’t help feeling they will fall at the final hurdle because of a defensive aberration or two.
