Former England manager Fabio Capello has tipped the Three Lions for World Cup glory, predicting they will emerge triumphant from a final against France.
Capello, who guided England to the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 – although he resigned ahead of the latter tournament – has run the rule over the final four nations in Russia and he believes England have the edge.
“[England] have got some fast lads and a great manager,” he said. “[Gareth] Southgate has realised that with two central defenders, they would have gone home so he’s put three in there, and he’s finally discovered a goalkeeper who can make saves.
“[Jordan] Pickford has a feel for the position and is reactive. [Southgate] is aided by the context of a Premier League where clubs give their young players a chance without thinking twice. He’s got an array of talented players, but he had the intuition of putting [Harry] Maguire at the heart of the three-man defence, he chose Pickford and he has managed the tension levels.
“It’s going to be France-England, and in that case I would pick England as favourites.”