With Hemel Town FC currently enjoying a well-deserved break following their Championship-winning season, manager Dean Brennan has taken some time to look ahead to the World Cup in Brazil.
Speaking to the Gazette, Brennan is tipping Spain to make it four major tournaments in a row, while he thinks France and Russia could be the dark horses – but the Irishman isn’t ruling out a strong display from England either...
> Favourites to win the tournament
“Spain for me are my favourites - they have run the course and succeeded four years ago, plus I see them learning a lot from their Confederations Cup final defeat last summer to Brazil.
“The experience, strength and world class quality throughout their squad is amazing – you just have to look at the players who didn’t even make their 23 and that shows you how good their squad is.
“Plus they have a fantastic manager who has won everything in the game at the highest level. Spain also have their formation in place and, with their philosophy, I can only see them as the team to beat.”
> The star players who will dazzle
“Messi is a genius and the greatest player I have witnessed in my lifetime. It will be very interesting to see if he can take his country to the pinnacle of glory in Brazil, like he has done for Barcelona over the last few years.
“I’m also a huge fan of the French midfielder Paul Pogba; he is only 21 and he has all the tools to be one of the great midfielders in world football.
“He is technically classy and has the strength, power and speed to frighten anybody he comes up against. At such a young age he has been a major part of the Juventus team that won Serie A.”
> The dark horses to watch out for
“I feel France and Russia are two teams to watch. There is no pressure on this young French squad and the French have been in a real transition over the past few years.
“I like their young squad which has a lot of technically physical, strong players with a lot of guile and pace. They are a really athletic squad and I think if they hit it off they will be a very tough side to beat.
“The Russians are very good defensively and in qualifying kept plenty of clean sheets. Under Fabio Capello they have plenty of experience and I can’t see Capello making the same mistakes he made when he was England manger in South Africa four years ago. Russia will be tough to beat.”
> Team who play in the Tudor style
“It’s probably Brazil as they play with width from the full-backs in the shape of over laps. They also play with attacking players in pockets an have dynamic speed up front.
“Defensively they press the ball high up the pitch and are easy on eye with their passing style and flair.”
> England’s chances of progressing
“I fancy England to win their group if I’m honest. Uruguay and Italy are ageing squads. It looks like Uruguay’s most dangerous player will not be 100 per cent fit in Luis Suarez. Plus the Italians have lost their captain to injury and both are key players.
“England have plenty of pace, and are a very dynamic team; they also have a great look of creativity and youth. There’s plenty of goals in this England squad.
“My only concern is the lack of world class players in their back four. Ashley Cole over the past 10 years was, and probably still is, the best left-back in the world. I was shocked he was not included in the squad.
“England must play in a positive attacking manner and if they do they can easily reach the business end of the tournament.”
> English youngsters who can shine
“Jack Wiltshire is a world class player and I feel he can be the difference in top level games. Ross Barkley has everything; power pace and real bravery to create and make things happen – he is special.
“Raheem Sterling is another top player and has shown over the course of last season with Liverpool he can be the difference in tight games.
“What I like about all the above players is they can beat players with the ball at their feet, they all have a burst of pace and can create and score goals individually.
“If they get the opportunity to perform at the highest stage for England they can win games on their own.”