Eriksson: Good chance for England

Eriksson: Good chance for England
(PA) Sunday 14 February 2010

Sven-Goran Eriksson says that if England can stay fit they are as likely as any team to win the World Cup this June in South Africa. Eriksson, who led England to the quarter-finals of the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, has been impressed by the team's displays under Fabio Capello.

"The qualification campaign was extremely good," he said. "They have a strong team, a good sort of players, they have experience. Many of them have done one, some two World Cups before. That counts when you go to a big tournament like the World Cup.

"England have a good chance. Everything depends on fit players. If they have fit players they have as good a chance as any of the big teams."

Eriksson claims England will be at their strongest if the likes of Ashley Cole get into shape for the tournament, with the Chelsea left-back expected to be out of action until May due to a fractured ankle.

He said: "If Ashley Cole is out it's a big blow for England and Capello, but he's not ruled out yet, and I think they will try to do everything to get him fit and hopefully he will be."

If Cole cannot recover full fitness, Wayne Bridge is his likely replacement, providing he can be convinced to play in the same team as John Terry, who is alleged to have had an affair with Bridge's ex-girlfriend. Eriksson expects Bridge will be the man Capello turns to.

The Swede added on BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme: "I haven't asked Capello that but I suppose so. It all depends on Ashley Cole and the doctors and what shape he is in when Capello has to announce his team.

"It was the same situation with (Wayne) Rooney before the last World Cup, and there's always a lot of speculation and as manager you have to make a decision. I was with Capello at the League Managers' Association dinner at Wembley during the week," he said. "We talked a lot of football. Of course it's a concern when you're coming up close to the World Cup and one of the biggest concerns you have is fit players, no injured players, not too tired players."