German football legend Lothar Matthaus says England ‘are one of the favourites’ to WIN the World Cup despite Nations League relegation… but insists Gareth Southgate’s side ‘have a problem with their goalkeeper’
- Lothar Matthaus says England are ‘one of the favourites’ for the Qatar World Cup
- Despite recent performances, the Germany legend sees England in contention
- He claims Gareth Southgate’s side ‘could have three first teams’ competing
- Matthaus warned Southgate that he does have a ‘problem with the goalkeeper’
- Click here for all the latest World Cup 2022 news and updates
German football legend Lothar Matthaus thinks, despite recent performances, that England are still ‘one of the favourites’ to win the World Cup this year.
The Three Lions have suffered a turbulent few months stretching back since June, with defeats to Hungary and Italy culminating in their relegation from Tier A of the Nations League this week.
However Matthaus, who was part of Germany’s World Cup winning squad in 1990, insists Gareth Southgate’s side are still contenders but also warned of their ‘big problem’.
England are winless in their last five matches and have fallen to defeat in three of those
German legend Lothar Matthaus says England are still in contention to win the World Cup
Speaking to the Telegraph, Matthaus said: ‘When you see the names of the players, England are one of the favourites in the World Cup. England and France could have three first teams.
‘Fourth place in Russia. Final of the Euros – they are getting very close to winning a title after 1966. But maybe they have a problem with the goalkeeper.
‘They don’t have a goalkeeper like Germany. This can be a big problem. You need each player in the World Cup.’
With Southgate’s usual first-choice goalkeeper – Jordan Pickford – injured, Newcastle’s Nick Pope started the recent match with Italy. Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale is also in contention to start against Germany on Monday night.
With Pickford’s club side Everton struggling last season and nearly getting relegated, there is chance that the England boss may rely on a new man between the sticks in Qatar.
Jordan Pickford has been out of action after picking up a thigh injury with Everton
Aaron Ramsdale (L) and Nick Pope will be competing for a starting spot against Germany
Matthaus continued: ‘But I think it is good especially for the countries with such a long league championship without a winter break to play this World Cup during the season rather than at the end.
‘You have so many games and one [domestic] cup competition more. This means the best players generally have between six and 10 games more than in Germany and Spain.’
The World Cup being played in the middle of the regular season gives rise to a potential higher quality in standard for the tournament, but could see a trail off in the domestic leagues later in the year.
Gareth Southgate’s England side have gone 495 minutes without a goal from open play
England are winless in their last five matches, losing three of them, in what is their longest run without a win since 2014 and their worst sequence in competitive matches since 1992.
Southgate’s side have also gone 495 minutes without a goal from open play, with Harry Kane’s penalty in the reverse fixture against Germany in Munich the only goal they’ve scored in this dismal Nations League campaign.
They are in desperate need of a pick-me-up in Monday’s clash with Germany to boost spirits ahead of their World Cup opener against Iran at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on November 21.
