Spanish national team manager Vicente Del Bosque has come out and said that England have great “potential” but lack “organization” under current manager Roy Hodgson.
Spain and England, who have both topped their Euro 2016 qualifying groups, take on each other in a friendly encounter scheduled to take place on Friday at Alicante’s Jose Rico Perez stadium.
The Spanish will be looking to win their third successive European Championships next year having won the two earlier editions in 2008 and 2012 under Luis Aragones and Del Bosque respectively.
England, on the other hand, have never won the Henri Delaunay Trophy and will be looking to assert their title credentials by upsetting the reigning European champions on away soil.
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Speaking to the media ahead of his side’s friendly encounter on Friday, Spanish manager Vicente Del Bosque said (via supersport), “England have a team with great potential and are individually very strong.”
“Once they have a bit of organisation they will be a great side,” he added.
The Costa Situation
Chelsea striker Diego Costa has been recalled to the Spanish squad by Del Bosque amidst rumours of a “pact” between the player and the manager. Del Bosque moved to quickly rubbish those claims adding (via sport24), “We know his character and we believe he is an important player. We don’t want him to change how he is.”
“Chelsea are not playing well at all this year and all parts of the team are being criticized. He doesn’t come with us due to any imposition or because of a previous pact.”
?Y Vicente del Bosque comparece ante los medios en rueda de prensa. A?Te lo contamos con #SEFlive! pic.twitter.com/dadBbC25YO
a SelecciA?n Espa ola (@SeFutbol) November 12, 2015
Del Bosque right in questioning England’s title credentials
England were the only team with a 100% win record in the Euro 2016 qualifiers with 10 wins out of 10. Roy Hodgson’s men comfortable coasted into the finals of the European Championships with 3 matches to spare.
However, given England’s poor record in major tournaments and a chronic lack of quality in their squad, it is perhaps not surprising that Del Bosque has come out and doubted the title credentials of the Three Lions.
England’s real test will begin when the Euro 2016 main tournament kicks off in France next year. A strong showing by England against the top European contenders will perhaps force Del Bosque to think again about England’s lack of “organization”.