Fabio Capello picks out Arsenal man as key to England's chances - but identifies their weakest link

Former England manager Fabio Capello has suggested that 'fear' could be the downfall of England's Euro 2024 hopes, singling out Jordan Pickford as the team's weakest link.

The Italian legend picked out Arsenal star Bukayo Saka and former Spurs captain Harry Kane when discussing the Three Lions' strengths heading into the summer tournament.

But despite acknowledging thatGareth Southgate possesses «the best midfielders and forwards» going into the tournament in Germany, Capello anticipates that England will succumb to pressure and «freeze» when it matters most.

Speaking at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid, he said: “I like England. Their midfielders and forwards are the best — Bellingham, Kane, Saka. The problem is defending and the keeper. At centre back they are weak, not at the same level as the rest of the team.

“So I have my doubts about the central defenders and Pickford, the goalkeeper. Sometimes he can be good. But for a defence to be good it needs to have confidence in the keeper.

“I have watched him in games, like the Euro 2020 Final, and after 20 minutes he just kept on kicking it long. It was as if he didn’t want the ball to be near him and just wanted it as far away as possible.

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“The problem for England is that when they arrive at the moment to win they play with fear. When you get to the very important trophies you miss something. That is the fear that freezes the team and it happens very often with England.

“It is this history of not winning. It is a monkey on their backs."