SAM ALLARDYCE believes he would win the World Cup if he was still England boss.
He even named the side he would have picked in Qatar had he not resigned as Three Lions manager in 2017.
England face Iran, USA and Wales in Group B and Allardyce would have gone for a blend of youth and experience at the World Cup.
The former West Brom and England boss appeared on William Hill’s and Footy Accumulators’ No Tippy Tappy Football podcast alongside his former assistant Sammy Lee.
And when asked if he believed he would have won the World Cup, Allardyce said: "Yes, definitely. With this squad, yes.
"We’d go for Jordan Pickford in goal, Reece James, Harry Maguire, Conor Coady and Luke Shaw in defence.
READ MORE ON WORLD CUP
England’s World Cup Wags plan mega bling holiday to Qatar including camel racing
Win a Lamborghini Huracan + £5k or £100k cash from just 89p with our discount code
"Declan Rice in midfield and Jude Bellingham alongside him, along with Mason Mount.
"Harry Kane up front, and we’ll go with Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden. We’d be celebrating with that, this team would win the World Cup."
Allardyce also claimed the current crop is stronger than the Golden Generation of the noughties and, because of that, he is hopeful Gareth Southgate will lead the team to success.
He added: “The current squad is just as good as the Golden Generation, but stronger in depth, I feel.
Most read in Football
Villa confirm Emery as new boss but ex-Arsenal manager must wait to take over
Festive Prem fixtures confirmed as Arsenal face Boxing Day & NYE nightmare
Ronaldo open to Italy return with Napoli interested in exiled Man Utd striker
Man Utd axe Instagram post after Pietersen slams Ten Hag over Ronaldo treatment
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
- England vs Iran – all you need to know for Three Lions' opener
- USA vs Wales – all the TV and live stream info for Dragons' first World Cup match in 64 years
"I think this is why, hopefully, this squad can go all the way this time. They’ve proven they can get there; now they just need to get over the line.
“I think that the Paul Scholes generation with Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard – midfield-wise – are better than England’s current midfield. I don’t think there’s any question about that.
"I think there was a myth that they couldn’t play together which was built up by the media.
"If that were the case, Sven at the time with Sammy, he wouldn’t have been thinking, ‘Well, we can’t pick them if we don’t think they can play together’."
Source: Read Full Article
