England lack quality Andy Cole

Former England international Andy Cole believes Roy Hodgson’s squad does not have enough quality to win Euro 2016 in France.

Many believe Germany will add the European Championship title to their World Cup crown and Cole believes they are among the favourites to win, along with defending champions Spain and hosts France.

“Tournaments are very difficult to win. When it comes to mentalities to win things that’s the toughest thing. I’m not sure England have, I won’t say the mentality because every player wants to win, but I am not sure they have enough quality to go out and win the tournament.

“I know people are questioning their defence at the moment but that’s England to be brutally honest. If you are not questioning your defence, then you will be questioning your midfielder, striker, so with England you have got to be like Brazil in the 70s to win any competition according to the media.

“For me it will be the usual suspects – Germany, Spain. I think France being the home nation they are very strong. They have got strikers who can score goals. But I don’t think I will go any further than those three if I’m honest.

Although the average of Hodgson’s squad is 25, it’s been suggested that England could surprise and Cole expressed the team selection has been a ‘breath of fresh air’.

“England I think will do well but I don’t think they have enough to win the tournament. If you look at the group they came through then they were expected to win the group comfortably and they did.

“But when you look at all the other nations and you say player for player, what players would you take out of the English team and put in the Spanish team? Or the German team? I would say you would probably only name two players if that.

“England have finally gone with the younger generation. To a certain extent the old guys have eased out or retired, I think that’s a breath of fresh air because I do think the older guys have a duty to the younger generation to step aside.

However the former Manchester United striker believes England will fall short in their attempts to win the tournament.

“If you look at England now it’s a lot younger, inexperienced, but they can go there and enjoy the tournament and say to yourself, it’s a great opportunity for us to enjoy this tournament, get as far as we can do and then look forward to the qualification for the World Cup.”