Gary Neville thinks France are the team to beat at Euro 2020 and expects the World Cup winners to lift the trophy.
Neville, the former Manchester United right-back, hailed the physical and mental strength of Didier Deschamps’ side while pointing out they are blessed with pace and intelligent footballers.
France were beaten in the Euro 2016 final by Portugal before going on to beat Croatia in the final of the 2018 World Cup and they are the favourites to secure more silverware this summer.
And Neville expects them to do exactly that given their ability to adapt to all situations.
Neville told Sky Sports: ‘I can’t look past France, really. I just can’t.
‘The experience, winning mentality, personalities they’ve got, pace and goals, clever, intelligent; you think they could play in any type of game, that French team.
‘They could play against a team that’s more direct, a team that’s sat off them, a team that tries to control possession.
‘It’s an adaptable team. I don’t think they would concern themselves with whoever they’re playing.
‘Physically they’re strong, mentally they’re strong, and I think if you’re finishing in front of France, you’re winning it.’
On England’s chances, Neville added: ‘It would take a lot of luck, one extraordinary effort, things to go their way, but I’m going to say in a Wembley Stadium full of English fans on the right day.
‘We saw Chelsea do Man City last week, so if you think that was very unlikely to most people before the game, this could certainly happen.
‘I don’t think England winning would be a shock or a surprise. After getting to a World Cup semi-final three years ago, now there is expectation on them.
‘They’re not going there thinking, “I hope we get to the quarter-finals”, there’s an expectation because of what they did three years ago.’
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