Fear and Weakness: Capello’s Concerns for England’s Euro 2024 Campaign
Former England manager Fabio Capello has expressed concerns about England’s chances in Euro 2024, citing fear and weaknesses in the team. While Capello acknowledges that England has the best midfielders and forwards, he believes that their defense and goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford, are the weak links.
Capello, speaking at the Laureus World Sports Awards, emphasized the importance of a strong defense and a confident goalkeeper. He stated that England’s central defenders are not at the same level as the rest of the team and expressed doubts about Pickford’s ability to inspire confidence in the defense. Capello pointed to recent games, such as the Euro 2020 Final, where Pickford seemed hesitant and opted to kick the ball long rather than taking control of the situation.
According to Capello, the problem for England lies in their fear. He believes that when it comes to important tournaments, fear freezes the team, preventing them from performing at their best. Capello draws parallels with his own experience as England manager during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. He describes his team as a different entity once they arrived at the tournament, attributing their fatigue and lack of confidence to a grueling domestic season in England.
Capello suggests that the physicality and intensity of the Premier League take a toll on players, leaving them tired and lacking confidence when they represent England on the international stage. He believes that this pattern of fear and fatigue has become ingrained in English football, creating a psychological barrier that hinders England’s chances of success in major tournaments.
To overcome this hurdle, Capello argues that England needs to find a way to shed their fear and build confidence within the team. He acknowledges that the history of not winning major trophies weighs heavily on the players and becomes a burden they carry into every tournament. Capello’s own team had a successful qualifying campaign but faltered in the World Cup due to fatigue and lacking confidence.
In conclusion, Fabio Capello’s concerns about England’s Euro 2024 campaign center around the team’s fear and weaknesses. He believes that the defense and goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford, are areas of concern, and that fear has historically hindered England’s performance in major tournaments. Capello emphasizes the need for the team to shed their fear and build confidence to overcome this psychological barrier. Only then can England truly compete at the highest level and have a shot at Euro 2024 glory.