Bundesliga legend and former World Cup-winning captain Lothar Matthäus thinks that England could cause some surprises in Russia, but that the tournament comes too soon for Three Lions to dethrone Germany as world champions.
England punched their ticket for the 2018 edition – like Die Mannschaft – without tasting defeat in their UEFA qualification group. Gareth Southgate has since named a youthful squad with Ashley Young, Jamie Vardy and Gary Cahill the only players who have already seen their 30th birthdays, but Matthäus thinks England’s relative lack of experience will count against them this time.
I think England have a good generation but not for this World Cup,” the former Bayern Munichstar told bundesliga.com. “England always have good players but I think they don’t have the experience in the tournaments, nor the results. It’s the same with the coach. He’s a new coach and it’s his first World Cup.”