Glen Johnson believes that England are a better team than the one that crashed out to Italy at Euro 2012.
Two years’ ago, Roy Hodgson’s men lost to the Azzurri at the quarter-final stages of the European Championship, going down on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
But the full-back has claimed that this team is completely different to the one that left Kiev down-heartened.
Glen Johnson believes that England are a better team than the one that crashed out to Italy at Euro 2012.
Two years’ ago, Roy Hodgson’s men lost to the Azzurri at the quarter-final stages of the European Championship, going down on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
But the full-back has claimed that this team is completely different to the one that left Kiev down-heartened.
“We had a good team when we played Italy last time but now we have more players who can hurt them, attacking-wise, and we have a bit more pace in the squad as well, so hopefully we will get further on,” he told The Guardian.
“I don’t think Italy will have met an England team like this before. The team we had before was a good side but maybe it was slightly defensive.
“If we can defend well now and use some of the pace and ability we have going forward we can cause problems.”
An example of that for Johnson is Liverpool teammate Raheem Sterling.
“Raheem was on fire in training on Friday and he looks like he has been around the squad for years.
“I am never one on one in sessions against him – he wanders all over the field and it is never just me up against him – but in terms in seeing what he can do when he gets on the ball you can see he has learnt the game quickly and he can hurt teams.
“It would be ideal if people don’t know what he is capable of and underestimate him a bit. That would definitely work in our favour. He has looked good all year.
“Probably over 10 yards Raheem is the quickest we have but he is a young kid who is willing to learn about the game and he should just get better.”