Speaking on Michael Calvin’s Football People Podcast, Glenn Hoddle has been looking at England’s World Cup squad and he’s reserved some special praise for two players wanted by Liverpool.
Indeed, Hoddle has had good things to say about both Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham after the pair have both been linked with a move to Anfield in recent weeks.
Many spectators have highlighted England’s midfield as something of a weak point heading into this tournament, but Hoddle has refuted that criticism stating that both Rice and Bellingham would get into any top team, namedropping France and Brazil as examples.
Good enough for Brazil
Hoddle spoke about Rice and Bellingham.
“We have so many assets. You tell me, even Brazil. I try to reverse it. If Brazil, France or Argentina had Rice and Bellingham, I think they’d get into those teams. And then you go to a young man who I think is someone special, Phil Foden. I think he can take us to the next level, he can score goals, he can create, he has all of those assets,” Hoddle said.
“Would Germany like those midfield players? You can bet your bottom dollar, would Belgium? Yes they would. The African teams who are getting better would they want them? Yes they would.”
Not at the level
Rice and Bellingham are probably good enough to be squad players at that level, but they wouldn’t be starters.
Look at Brazil’s midfield. Casemiro and Fabinho have been two of the best players in the world over the past five years, while Bruno Guimaraes has arguably been the Premier League’s brightest central player in 2022.
Meanwhile, Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni have been starring for Real Madrid this season and will likely be starring for France in Qatar.
As nice as it is to big up England’s current crop, let’s be realistic, Rice and Bellingham aren’t on that level, even if they are being courted by Liverpool.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
