Ex- England star Wayne Bridge has suggested the Three Lions should emulate Brazil and head into the rest of the World Cup with a "don’t give a f*** attitude".
The Three Lions head into a key final Group B fixture against fellow home nation Wales on Tuesday evening. Gareth Southgate ’s men are in a relatively positive position with a draw being enough to secure them their place in the last-16 - while a defeat could still see them go through so long as they are not defeated by more than a four-goal margin.
Despite that, there is not as much positivity as after their thumping win against Iran having been held to a drab 0-0 draw against the USA last time out. Bridge, however, wants to see a more relaxed attitude from the Three Lions squad ahead of the remainder of the tournament.
Speaking to Mirror Football in partnership with Samsung, he said: “It’s making sure you understand what the manager wants from you and doing what he wants from you and working on the training pitch. Then trying to stay relaxed on game day, not too much nerves.
“I love it about the Brazilians that they’ve got that don’t give a f*** attitude sometimes and not scared to go and do things.”
There are questions over Southgate’s selection for the Wales game and Bridge is clear over who he thinks should start the game. He said: “I think you can make changes, it’s how many changes.
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“Sometimes, I think if you make too many changes, there’s too many players trying to impress at once but it is good to rest players. I’d love to see Phil Foden play. I would have loved to have seen him play the other night [against the USA].
“I think it was a good opportunity for him to come on and show his creative side and see what he can do. He’s one player I’d like to see play but I don’t want to see too many changes, definitely a few.
“I’d love to see him get on and show what he’s got because he’s a massive talent. I love him.”
There are also some doubts over Harry Kane ’s fitness ahead of the clash against Wales. The England captain has yet to get his first goal of the tournament having previously claimed the Golden Boot last time out in Russia.
Former Chelsea man Bridge is highly complimentary of his abilities but did admit that it could be time for Kane to step out of the starting XI. "I like him as a player. I know he plays for Tottenham but I like him as a player,” he said.
"I know Chelsea fans that even like him as a player and it’s hard for them to say they like a Tottenham player to be honest! I think there’s so much stuff that he does do. He can bring people into the game and the assist he got the other day [against Iran], he does that so well.
“He doesn’t even get half a yard, he gets a quarter of a yard and just whips it round. He’s got that in the bag. I wouldn’t be too hard on him. He’s got a little bit of a niggle so he’s one that might get rested.”
Whilst it still remains to be seen if England can book their place in the World Cup last-16, Bridge is backing the Three Lions to follow-up their fourth-placed finish in Russia with glory this time.
“Of course they can go all the way, they’ve got a squad good enough to go all the way,” the former left-back said. “It’s just not easy.
“You’ve seen upsets already in the World Cup. It’s never, never easy. It’s how you can deal with the occasion sometimes. If the game’s not going your way, that you can turn that around and get a result.”
Wayne Bridge has teamed up with Samsung to offer fans the opportunity to win a live and immersive football experience of the semi finals and final at their exclusive Neo QLED 8K viewing pod, powered by Quantum Dot technology, at their Samsung KX space in London. Winners will also receive free snacks and drinks in the pod, as well as £300 worth of restaurant vouchers. To enter the competition, visit Samsung UK’s Facebook page here before 4th December. See here for full T&Cs.
For more information on Samsung’s Neo QLED TV range including Neo QLED 8K, please visit: https://www.samsung.com/uk/tvs/qled-tv/highlights/
