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England can win World Cup, insists Mourinho

“When I see the players and the experience of the players and the clubs where they play, I don’t understand why one day it cannot happen.”

CHELSEA MANAGER Jose Mourinho believes England can win the World Cup, despite the low expectations surrounding the team.

England face a difficult challenge to get out of their World Cup group, which features Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica.

Roy Hodgson’s men qualified for the finals in Brazil without losing a game in qualification, although friendly defeats to Germany and Chile served as a reminder of the task facing the 1966 World Cup winners.

However, England’s preparations for this year’s tournament started with a 1-0 win over Denmark on Wednesday, and Mourinho sees no reason why Hodgson’s side cannot win the title for a second time.

Speaking after being unveiled as Yahoo’s global football ambassador for 2014, Mourinho said: “England, everybody says ‘no, no, no, no, no.’ I always say, ‘why not?’ Because I don’t understand why not.

“When I see the players and the experience of the players and the clubs where they play, I don’t understand why one day it cannot happen.”

The Portuguese conceded England do underachieve at major competitions and may have a difficult time avoiding doing so again in Group D.

“I think so (that England underachieve) because (the Premier League) is the best championship in the world; it is the most competitive one,” he added.

“They (the players) know what the big stage is; they know how to play under pressure; they know how to play for the big clubs; they play in the Champions League which is probably the most difficult football in the world, so I don’t see why they don’t (perform at the World Cup). I don’t see why. So one day they have to do.

“I know it is (a tough group), but I don’t think Uruguay and Italy will find it easy to play against England. I think it is the kind of group where everybody is waiting for the first match, and the first defeat will put immediately one team in a very difficult situation.

“One of them will be out and one of them will be considered like a big favourite, but the reality is that the group is difficult so one of them must be out.”

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11 Comments
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    Mute Sean Lawlor
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    Mar 6th 2014, 4:54 PM

    Was he talking about the rugby World Cup?

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    Mute Begrudgy
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    Mar 6th 2014, 2:43 PM

    Watch the english media lap this up. Wondering what scandal they will then pull out of the bag on the eve of their first match. My guess is something to do with Rooney.

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    Mute cathal shannon
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    Mar 6th 2014, 2:48 PM

    Typical Jose. Pile the pressure on England even at this early stage.. The media will lap this up putting the shites up the players who will then flop and blame an over expectant public… Great stuff…

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    Mute John Ryan
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    Mar 6th 2014, 4:02 PM

    What odds for england not to qualify outve they’re group???

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    Mute Aidan Swipe Gannon
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    Mar 6th 2014, 8:48 PM

    England are muck’ and I’m from England’ we don’t listen to the media My little local team man city would smash England , if your from a small place like Halifax its a big day out watching England.

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    Mute John Devane
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    Mar 6th 2014, 9:26 PM

    In other news pigs have been seen flying over the river thames

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    Mute Shane Robinson
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    Mar 6th 2014, 9:16 PM

    Hmmmm, this from the same man who feels fit to say Cole and Lampard deserve to go to Brazil yet he won’t pick them?

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    Mute Jamie Brogan
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    Mar 6th 2014, 10:42 PM

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! What a funny guy.

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    Mute Anthony O'Donovan
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    Mar 7th 2014, 9:29 AM

    Just like when he said a few weeks ago that United could still win the league or that Chelsea couldn’t.

    He’s some spoofer that fella.

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    Mute Brian Casey
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    Mar 7th 2014, 1:53 AM

    Last weekend in the premier league only 33% of players who started a premier league match was English. That’s why they can’t win the next World Cup.

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    Mute Aidan Swipe Gannon
    Favourite Aidan Swipe Gannon
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    Mar 7th 2014, 6:29 AM

    If Gaelic players got paid more foreign lads would play and the same thing would happen in Ireland ‘ say in about 10 years time
    The Dublin team will be evenualy be a mixed team .

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