Thierry Henry highlights England’s defence as weakness, although he claims lack of expectation from the nation could work in their favour.
Thierry Henry feels England’s weak link is their defence
Arsenal and France legend Thierry Henry has spoken exclusively to Sky Sports News HQ, and had his say on what he feels England’s biggest weakness is ahead of their first Euro 2016 group game against Russia on June 11.
The Sky Sports pundit enjoyed an incredibly successful international career, as he scored 51 goals for his country and was an integral part of France’s World Cup and European Championship winning teams.
Henry went on to explain how the Three Lions’ defence is an area for concern.
Rio Ferdinand was a class act, but failed to help England win a major tournament
“Maybe at the back they are not as strong as they used to be,” Henry said. “If I go back I remember the likes of Tony Adams, Gary Neville, Sol Campbell, John Terry and Rio Ferdinand. They were pretty strong at the back.”
The back-four is certainly one area of the pitch where manager Roy Hodgson is unsure of who to select. Will he pair John Stones with Chris Smalling? Or will he opt for experience with Gary Cahill?
Never has someone divided opinion as much as Stones. The young Everton defender has been called anything from the next Rio Ferdinand to a complete and utter liability.
John Stones divides opinion amongst pundits and football fans alike
With Hodgson’s track record, it is likely he will lean towards Chelsea’s Cahill as the safer option.
Henry also highlighted how England have been weighed down by expectation in the past at major tournaments, but feels that this year could be different.
“People are not expecting them to win the tournament,” he said. “This is one of the first times I’m over here and I don’t hear, ‘We are going to win it’. That might be a good thing at the end of the day.”
Who will Hodgson opt to play in England’s back-four?
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