Ex- England star Teddy Sheringham has claimed the only way the Three Lions can regard the Qatar World Cup as a success is if they return home as champions.
Gareth Southgate's side have impressed for the most part during their three group stage contests against Iran, USA and Wales respectively, but the jury is still out as to whether England are currently performing like a side that could go all the way.
With the stern test of Africa Cup of Nations holders Senegal awaiting them in the round of 16, everyone associated with the Three Lions knows they will have to be at their very best to avoid an underwhelming exit earlier than many expected.
While Sheringham has been firm in what he feels England's ambitions should be, the former Manchester United star is also confident Southgate's men have the quality to achieve those lofty aims.
Speaking to Gambling.com, the three-time Premier League winner explained: "The only way England can come back as a success is if they win it.
"I hope and believe that England will do well. I think we have got as good a chance as anyone. They’ve had their two tournaments where they’ve done exceptionally well so the expectancy levels are very high now and I don’t think it’s unreasonable for England to be going there expecting to win it.
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"You can’t go there thinking ‘if we get to the semi-finals that’ll be a good tournament’. You have to go there with the attitude that you can win it, and I think they can."
England's route has already been mapped out and should they topple Senegal and other results go as expected, they will take on reigning champions France at the quarter-final stage.
With the recent elimination of Germany and some pretty shaky performances from the likes of Spain and Argentina during the groups, many feel that England could go the distance due to decline in quality of other nations who have long been World Cup titans.
Sheringham's last piece of advice for the current crop of Three Lions stars was a sound one, as he added: "All I would say to the England players is – make sure you have no regrets at the end of the tournament and do you best to come away with the trophy."
As the ex-Tottenham ace previously mentioned, the last two outings from England in previous major tournaments have seen them suffer defeat at the semi-final and final stage at the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020 respectively.
The next logical step in the eyes of many is for England to end what is now 56 years of hurt for the men's game and lift the most coveted trophy in all of football for the first time since 1966 and just the second time in the nation's history.
To do that, the plethora of young talent Southgate has at his disposal will have to be at their best for tougher tests than Senegal, though England are hardly shy of match-winners with the likes of Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka near the top of the scoring charts.
