Ghost-bluster
England haunted by failure on big stage but Cahill claims they are as good as world champs
GARY CAHILL reckons England are as good as world champions Germany after claiming Gareth Southgate’s squad won’t be intimidated.
The Chelsea defender will captain the Three Lions against their old foes in tonight’s friendly in Dortmund and insists the occasion holds no fears.
England have flopped on the big stage repeatedly and haven’t reached the last four of a major finals since Southgate missed the decisive penalty against the Germans at Euro 96.
But Cahill, who played in the England side that won 3-2 in Germany last year, believes his side are a match for the team who ruled the world at Brazil 2014.
He said: “I’m certainly respectful of their history but man for man I’m confident in the squad we have.
“I’m respectful that they are top Champions League players who win trophies but I’m also confident in my team-mates.
“How do we bridge the gap is the golden question. The young players have to play as much football as they can at club level and play in massive, important games. Play cup finals or win leagues. That will happen.”
Cahill is set to win the Premier League this season after impressing in a back three for Chelsea and Southgate hinted he will experiment with that system in the future.
The stopper believes he has learned a lot from Antonio Conte at Stamford Bridge and believes other foreign coaches in England will also help the players in Southgate’s squad.
Cahill added: “You have to adapt as players, taking different people’s visions.
“I’ve always soaked things up, even if you don’t agree with it at the time.
“But take the good things out of what people have brought. If that can improve you as a player that’s a bonus for me. So ‘adapt’ is the best advice I could give.
“You take in the bits that can benefit you as a player over the different managers.”
Southgate will never forget the hurt he felt when his penalty miss ruined England’s hopes of glory at Wembley in 1996.
But having experienced that crushing low, the England boss believes he’s the ideal man to lead the new generation.
He said: “It has built my mental strength, giving the feeling that actually what is there to fear?
“In terms of sport I’ve been through the worst that I could so that gives me freedom when I’m managing players to allow them to go and express themselves.
“We’re an island, we’ve got to get off the island and learn from the likes of Spain.” LUKAS PODOLSKI reckons Gareth Southgate can finally end England’s long wait for tournament success – as long as they avoid the Germans.
The former Arsenal forward is set to make his 130th and final appearance for the world champions against England in Dortmund tonight.
Podolski, who will captain the side, said: “England have young, promising players and can get far in tournaments as long as they don’t meet us.”
Germany boss Joachim Low reckons the sky is the limit for Southgate’s young side.
He said: “England now play more modern football with more possession.
“They are very good at counter-attacks, they have fast players, young talent and take more risks. They have a promising future.”