Markus Babbel: England have the quality and mindset to win the Euros (Interview for Newbettingsites.UK)

Speaking to NewBettingSites.uk, former Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Germany defender Markus Babbel gave his thoughts ahead of Sunday’s European Championship final.

Having won the tournament himself in 1996, Babbel thinks England have what it takes to end their 58-year wait for a major international trophy, but warned that he feels Spain have been by far the best team in the tournament.

Babbel said: “Spain are a fantastic team to watch. Their mindset is all about hurting the opponent, creating chances and scoring goals. I love teams who want to have the ball and are skilful.

“I think England have the potential to be like that but they don’t look 100% fit – mentally and physically. If you are fully fit then your mind is clear, but that doesn’t look to be the case with these England players.

“England have had luck on their side. People have been talking about how badly they’ve played, but they’re not losing. They’re drawing and winning games and other teams haven’t punished them. Great teams win games when they’re not at 100%.

“They looked so much better against the Netherlands and over the next three days they can rest and maybe they’ll come out stronger again. I think they will turn up on Sunday and make it a very difficult game for Spain. Spain have been by far the best team in the tournament, but England have the potential, the quality and the mindset to win the Euros.”

Southgate a ‘top manager’ when England win, but takes blame when they lose

Gareth Southgate has been the subject of much criticism throughout the tournament but former Euros winner Babbel explained that when England win, he is branded a “top manager”, whilst also taking the blame when his team lose.

“If things are going well then everyone says what a top manager Gareth Southgate is, but when things go wrong he gets the blame,” said Babbel. “If you’re the England manager that just comes with the job. But, when you look at the quality of the squad compared to how they have performed, you have to think that they could have played better – then Southgate gets the blame.

“It is normal for the coach to get criticised, but now he is showing that he’s been getting decisions right. You need an element of luck in these major tournaments but in the end you also need quality. England has the quality and even though Spain are the favourites, it is a one-off game. England have the quality to win it.”

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