Gary LINEKER!

2018 World Cup! The MOTD host gives Stobbsy his thoughts on the THE WORLD CUP IS THE BIGGEST STAGE OF ALL… ENGLAND’S STRIKING OPTIONS ARE STRONG… HARRY KANE HAS RISEN TO EVERY OCCASION SO FAR… THE GOLDEN BOOT CAN THROW UP A SURPRISE... IN FOUR YEARS’ TIM

LINEKER SAYS: “It’s the biggest, best sporting event on the planet. It’s always really exciting. The best players in the world are all there!” LINEKER SAYS: “You’ve got Harry Kane, who is one of the best in the world. Jamie Vardy gives you a totally different dynamic, Rashford is brilliant on the left, Sterling has been terrific all season – Dele Alli just behind, who gets goals. In that area of the pitch they can compete with anyone, but it’s about providing the right ammunition!” LINEKER SAYS: “He will be fine. There are certain individuals that embrace that pressure and the chance to show they can do it on the biggest stage and Harry strikes me as that kind of guy. He just needs to enjoy it and be confident!” LINEKER SAYS: “Occasionally, it’s someone quirky who gets five in a game. You need to get to the quarter-finals to have a chance of winning it. Mbappe, Griezmann, Kane, and obviously Messi and Ronaldo, all have a chance!” LINEKER SAYS: “If I was Gareth Southgate, I’d just write this tournament off. We realistically haven’t got what it takes. I’d say this is all about experience and playing lots of young players. You never know with knockout competitions – you can get lucky, but we haven’t got the world-class players you need to actually be favourites. We will have, though, in four or six years’ time!” LINEKER SAYS: “They’ve got a lot of good footballers who keep the ball, with bags of experience. France have got a chance if they can get a togetherness and system that suits them. Brazil have firepower, but I just don’t like their system with three holding midfielders!” LINEKER SAYS: “It went bonkers when we made the semi-final at Italia ’90. People say they don’t care about the England team, but they will. It will be insanely wonderful and then heartbreaking! You get through the group, though, and you’re only three matches from the final. You can get lucky – you never know!”