Wayne Bridge, wey be former England left-back, don yarn about young star wey dey shine for Thomas Tuchel side. According to Bridge, O’Reilly wey get only five senior caps for Three Lions don already cement im place as first-choice left-back for the finals. Bridge talk say: “He’s one of my favourite players of the season. I loved him ever since he came onto the scene.”
Bridge wey sabi left-back position well-well, praise the 21-year-old pikin im physical and technical abilities. He explain say: “He started as a midfielder but slotted into full-back really well. He ends up in positions where he’s in the box, and he’s a big lad. He’s comfortable on the ball whatever position he’s in, whether that’s in the attacking box, or receiving it on the wings with players around him.”
The former England full-back also talk about how England go play different from Man City, but he believe say O’Reilly fit cope for any scenario. Bridge add: “I think this could be one of those tournaments where he really announces himself on the football stage.”
Bridge also yarn about midfield options wey Tuchel get, and say there enough cover for wide areas if Bukayo Saka injury problem come back. He talk: “I’d probably expect him [Saka] to start, but he’s going to have to be assessed medically. You’ve got options — Noni Madueke, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon. As important as Saka is, I think we’ve got enough in the squad to cope if he can’t play.”
For the matter of Tuchel decision to leave Cole Palmer and Phil Foden out of squad, Bridge admit say he for take Palmer, but he insist say there enough quality to go far. He talk: “I was like every other fan — probably a Chelsea fan or a Cole Palmer fan — when he was scoring those goals, going ‘why the hell is he not starting?’ But it has been a tough season for him. Would I have taken him? I was swaying towards yes.”
Bridge continue: “But it’s such a hard job and football is just full of opinions. I love Rashford as a player, I love Gordon as a player — I think they’re direct and they’re dangerous. I think there’s too much talk on who’s being left behind sometimes. There’s enough quality in that team to go and do well. Me personally, I love Palmer and Foden — but they haven’t had their best seasons. Palmer probably would have sneaked it in — I would have taken him, if I’m honest.”
However, Bridge believe say England go fall short and fear their 60-year wait for major men’s trophy go continue. He dey back France to win everything. Bridge talk: “My natural response if I’ve sat down having a pint with my mates is: we could be absolutely terrible, do nothing, or we could go on and win it. That is literally my response. That is tournament football. They could go all the way and win it, or it could go very wrong.”
He add: “It wouldn’t surprise me if there are some surprises though — Morocco are dangerous, Japan could be a dark horse. If I had to pick one team, I’d be picking France. Sadly, I’m not picking England, but I’d love to see them go all the way.”
