Fabio Capello, the former England manager, has cast doubt on the Three Lions' prospects at this summer's World Cup, claiming they 'play tired and with fear'. The Italian, who led England at the 2010 tournament, criticised the team's tendency to adopt a negative style in high-pressure matches.
Capello pointed to the Premier League's lack of a winter break and England's two domestic cups as factors contributing to player fatigue. He told the BBC: 'Always the same, England arrive at the World Cup tired and they play with fear.'
The 2010 World Cup campaign saw England crash out in the last 16, and Capello resigned after John Terry was stripped of the captaincy. He highlighted the Euro 2020 final, where England took an early lead but then retreated, eventually losing to Italy on penalties.
England have been competitive in recent tournaments but remain without a major trophy since 1966, having lost back-to-back European Championship finals. Capello urged manager Thomas Tuchel to change the team's approach, saying: 'The manager, he has to cancel it.'
England qualified impressively for the World Cup and have been drawn in a group with Croatia, Ghana and Panama. Captain Harry Kane arrives in top form after his best goal-scoring season for Bayern Munich.
