No chance: Di Canio does not rate England's chances
The former Sunderland boss reckons Roy Hodgson's burnt-out stars are also guilty of conceding "ludicrous" goals and won't get out of their group
Paolo Di Canio reckons England have no chance at the World Cup because they are "exhausted" and concede "ludicrous" goals.
Di Canio insists England will not get through their Group with Italy because Wayne Rooney will be "cooked" by the time he gets to Brazil.
Former West Ham striker Di Canio, one of Italy's most famous exports, said: "The English do have a problem - they play little together, they do not attack the space and they must have a better understanding.
"England are missing parts, the reserves are not up to scratch. The players are tired - I really like Rooney but he arrives in these competitions cooked, because he plays a lot of games in the season.
"He gives all of himself in every game and the Brazilian temperatures will be very hard for him. They do not have a winter break and it is great to play at Christmas, but they then pay for this in June. In this period, fatigue can be devastating.
"England have freshness, youth, but it will be difficult for them to go through. They are unable to manage themselves, they always put in the maximum and always have to give 200 per cent.
"As a Coach it happened to me several times, I would ask for a lower tempo to respond to certain technical and tactical details, but I couldn't do anything, they all continue the same.
"Then, historically, a weak point is that the English concede absurd goals, incredible. I have looked over some of the examples of their goalkeepers, and they have made some incredible mistakes.
"Lately I've noticed some difficulties for Italy, but the Italian players have the value of flexibility, they can change position.
"They may lack a true identity, but I think that at a physical level our work from the past two weeks will be better than that of the English, who are exhausted."
Di Canio believes England's biggest threat is from three of their youngest players.
"England have some interesting talents, I think of Sterling, Sturridge, Barkley," he said.
"I like Shaw a lot, he is one of the best full-backs in Europe in my opinion - incredible strength, he is never tired."
Di Canio admits Italy's lack of goals and Mario Balotelli's selfishness is a concern but claims Luis Suarez is a threat even when not fully fit.
Di Canio added: "Balotelli? He still does not score. Football is not one against all. He does not give the feeling of playing with and for the team.
"Balotelli should score goals, Berlusconi said this in his own way. I see him as unsympathetic, impatient.
"Uruguay depends on the recovery of Luis Suarez. It is true that Franco Baresi played well in the '94 World Cup Final a few weeks after surgery on the meniscus.
"Baresi, however, was a central defender, he had the game in front of his eyes. Suarez is an attacker, and makes different movements, his back is to the goal, he must navigate.
"I do not know. Certainly, someone like Suarez at 70 per cent can ensure those four or five moments that can drive the game."
Source: Mirror Sport
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