England given Tite’s backing

– Brazilian coach Tite (above) views England as one of the favourites to win next year’s World Cup and believes the cosmopolitan nature of the Premier League has benefited their national team.

England manager Gareth Southgate successfully blooded several new players in Friday’s 0-0 friendly draw with Germany and was again obliged to field an inexperienced team against Brazil last night due to injuries.

With Dele Alli, Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling among the players unavailable for England, Tite is convinced Southgate’s men will be serious contenders in Russia.

“Even though Southgate has only had 13 games (as manager) so far, with Dele Alli, Kane and the experience of (Gary) Cahill, that tradition counts, so I see England as one of the favourites,” Tite said this week.

Brazil have been flying since Tite succeeded the sacked Dunga in June 2016, qualifying at a canter for next year’s World Cup and winning 13 of the 16 games they have played under his stewardship. –

London