World Cup

Tunisia boss Nabil Maaloul: 'England quartet are game-changers'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 27 March 2018

Tunisia boss Nabil Maaloul reveals that he has been left impressed by the recent performances of England, whom they will face at this summer's World Cup.

Tunisia boss Nabil Maaloul has claimed that England have four players who are capable of changing a game, while acknowledging that the Three Lions have started to 'evolve' as a team.

At this summer's World Cup, Tunisia and England both feature in a group alongside Belgium and Panama, with Belgium regarded as the favourites to progress through to the last 16 as group winners.

However, Maaloul has revealed that he has been left impressed by England's recent progression, as well as naming Dele Alli, Jesse Lingard, Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane as 'game-changers' for Gareth Southgate.

The 55-year-old is quoted by The Guardian as saying: "The English have understood recently that they had to change their ideas about the game and follow the evolution of world football.

"If they continued to play as they did in the past, they could not progress. With great managers like [Pep] Guardiola, [Antonio] Conte, [Jose] Mourinho, [Arsene] Wenger and so on, they are starting to change their mentality and their ideas about the game. Their style of play is no longer about hitting the ball long and running after it.

"Things have progressed enormously. And on top of the new style they have some very strong individuals. Players such as [Raheem] Sterling, [Harry] Kane, [Dele] Alli and [Jesse] Lingard can change a game at any moment. They are among the favourites for this tournament."

Tunisia and England meet in Russia on June 18.