ENGLAND boss Fabio Capello wants to get his players to perform without feeling the pressure that comes with wearing the badge of the Three Lions.
Capello wants to add a touch of fantasy football to the team spirit he believes will take England to the World Cup finals in two years' time – and he believes coping with expectation is part of the process. England players have been impressing in the
Champions League but the national team are not at Euro 2008, where Capello has been this week to scout Croatia for next season's World Cup qualifiers.
"The pressure is much more big with (England]," Capello said. "It's a big difference. This is the reason a lot of good players play very well with their clubs, but are not the same as the national team.
"One example is (Cesc] Fabregas, who is one of the best players in England, but does not play often for Spain. It's possible the pressure is very big and he suffers a little bit. You have to choose the player that can play very well for both his club and the national team, with the same confidence, the same fantasy and same strong mentality."
Capello feels his England squad is starting to take shape after what he admits was a tentative start to his reign. "I remember in the first game when we played Switzerland, I was very worried because I didn't see the spirit and the English characteristics," he said.
"But after four games I am very happy because step by step we have moved on and have found the spirit of the group. I was also surprised by the fact a lot of players are very good technically."
The full article contains 295 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
