Playing for 90
Fansided

7 reasons why England can win the World Cup

By Thomas Bradley Alderman

NIZHNY NOVGOROD, RUSSIA - JUNE 24: Harry Kane of England is seen with the matchball following scoring a hatrick in his sides victory in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group G match between England and Panama at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on June 24, 2018 in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, RUSSIA - JUNE 24: Harry Kane of England is seen with the matchball following scoring a hatrick in his sides victory in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group G match between England and Panama at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on June 24, 2018 in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 7
Next
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, RUSSIA – JUNE 24: Jordan Pickford of England gives his team instructions during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group G match between England and Panama at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on June 24, 2018 in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, RUSSIA – JUNE 24: Jordan Pickford of England gives his team instructions during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group G match between England and Panama at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on June 24, 2018 in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images) /

The Three Lions have only conceded two

Ok, this one is a bit misleading because England have only played two matches. And those matches were against vastly lower FIFA ranked opposition.

Yet a clean sheet versus the Belgians would seriously increase our defensive confidence. Jordan Pickford secured 10 goalless matches for Everton in last campaign’s premiership.

In that sense, prepare for Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne to rain on our preemptive parade of football paradise.

However, do not deduce an outcome too soon. Roberto Martinez, at the Belgium helm, is resting them and others, per Telegraph. Southgate is not expected to drop as many starters.

How good is Pickford?

Pickford has many qualities and a few faults. Don’t we all. Strength, opportunistic distribution, shot stopping and immense confidence are attributes. Wait, that sounds suspiciously like over confidence. I definitely want a quiet reserved personality in-goal. An insipid persona is required as a professional goalkeeper. On many occasions we see negligence and silly errors in a self-importance capacity.

While I do not envisage Pickford as that type, I singled him out as our most likely mistake maker, pre-tournament.

Please do not let Pickford’s confidence get the better of him, cause an awful fault or mean conceding – like his poor touch nearly did on Sunday – end of prayer. A potentially great three-man defence is protecting him, hopefully.

Home/World Cup