Capello's confidence in squad
Friday, 11 June, 2010
England Manager believes he has the players to progress in South Africa.
Fabio Capello has revealed he has a fully fit squad to choose from on the eve of England’s opening match at the 2010 World Cup against the United States and believes he has a team strong enough to reach the Final.
Capello faced the media in Rustenburg this evening after watching all 23 of his squad, including Gareth Barry, train in the Royal Bafokeng Stadium. And he appeared confident and content.
“I think we are ready,” he said. “ Usually the first game is hard because the expectation is really big, the pressure is really big. But we have stayed here for eight days now and we have trained very well. I saw the last training this evening and we are training very well.
“There is a great deal of confidence in the squad. I do believe this time around we have a team that is good enough to arrive in the Final.”
The good news for Capello is that Manchester City star Barry has recovered well from an ankle injury that at one stage looked likely to keep him out of the World Cup.
“Barry is training three days every day normally, training hard,” said Capello. “He’s fit. He will be on the bench.”
That was the only clue the England Manager was giving about his team selection because not even the players know for certain who will line up against the USA.
“I have decided the players that will play but they will know two hours before. It’s always the same, nothing new,” said Capello.
“I am very happy because all the players are fit and I think the players that are here are the best English players.
“I want to see the spirit of the team, the English spirit, that I saw during the Qualifiers. Also I want to see a team really compact on the pitch.
“I think the players are really happy and ok in this moment both physically and mentally. They are really focused on this game that we have to play and we are sure we can go forward in this competition.”