‘Mood similar to Leicester’s triumph’

LONDON: England striker Jamie Vardy has likened the mood in the squad ahead of the World Cup to that of Leicester City’s Premier League title-winning campaign.

Vardy, who scored 24 goals in Leicester’s unlikely title triumph in the 2015/16 season, said a united dressing room was a key factor in building a successful team. “We were exactly the same, very close (at Leicester)... having a laugh and a joke at training,” Vardy told reporters ahead of England’s opening game against Tunisia on Monday.

“I think that when you are enjoying it more, you play your best football. We have all got that mentality where you just want to win,” he said.

MOURINHO CONFIDENT ENGLAND WILL IMPRESS

MANCHESTER: Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has backed England to shine at the World Cup due to the depth of experience in the squad.

“They have a good group of young but experienced players,” Mourinho told British media. “All of them play in the most competitive competition in the world, the Premier League, all of them playing for the best teams with experience of playing in the Champions League, which is a high level of football, obviously.”

Mourinho said Brazil and Germany had the most balanced squads and he did not expect to see a shock winner. “In the end, the top teams in South America and Europe are the ones that will be fighting for the title,” he said.