“As if he didn’t want the ball near him” - Fabio Capello claims England could fail to win Euro 2024 due to one player
Former England manager Fabio Capello has claimed that the Three Lions could fail to win Euro 2024 due to the presence of Jordan Pickford. The Italian believes that the goalkeeper could cost his side in the tournament because of his lack of confidence on the ball.
After narrowly missing out on Euro 2020 courtesy of a loss to Italy after a penalty shootout in the final, England will get the opportunity to right their wrongs when they compete in Euro 2024 this summer.
Although the Three Lions are blessed with several high-profile superstars, Fabio Capello believes their defence and goalkeeper are major weak links.
"I like England. Their midfielders and forwards are the best - [Jude] Bellingham, [Harry] Kane, [Bukayo] Saka," Capello said at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid, as quoted by SPORTbible. "The problem is defending and the keeper. At centre-back they are weak, not at the same level as the rest of the team."
The Italian went on to highlight Jordan Pickford's lack of confidence on the ball, recalling the goalkeeper's performance in the final of the 2020 Euros.
"So I have my doubts about the central defenders and Pickford, the goalkeeper. Sometimes he can be good. But for a defence to be good it needs to have confidence in the keeper," he continued.
"I have watched him in games, like the Euro 2020 final, and after 20 minutes, he just kept on kicking it long. It was as if he didn’t want the ball to be near him and just wanted it as far away as possible," added Capello.
Jordan Pickford is currently England's number-one option between the sticks. The goalkeeper made his debut for the Three Lions in 2017 and has far, earned 60 caps, conceding 45 goals and recording 28 clean sheets
Highlighting England's recent results ahead of Euro 2024
England haven't had the best of results in their most recent outings. The Three Lions have recorded just two victories to their name in their last five games - to go with one defeat and two draws, which have come in their last three outings.
Gareth Southgate's men don't seem to be doing well in defence as they've conceded in each of their last three matches (four goals in total). The last time they kept a clean sheet was against a weak Malta side in the Euro 2024 qualifier back in November.
Euro 2024 will kick off in Munich on June 14 and will end on July 14, with the final set to be played in Berlin.